How to choose environmentally friendly office furniture
Choosing environmentally friendly office furniture is a very important matter, as it not only concerns employee health and corporate image, but also reflects corporate social responsibility.
Here is a detailed recommendation for choosing eco-friendly office furniture, covering core principles, specific standards, and practical guidelines.

1、 Core principle: Understanding the four dimensions of "environmental protection"

Before making a choice, it is important to understand that eco-friendly office furniture is not just about being "odorless", it is a concept that runs through the product lifecycle.

1. Material environmental protection: Recyclable and recyclable raw materials are required.
2. Production environmental protection: Energy conservation and consumption reduction during the production process, reducing waste and pollution.
3. Environmentally friendly use: harmless to the human body, easy to maintain, and durable.
4. Waste environmental protection: recyclable and biodegradable, avoiding becoming a burden on waste disposal.

2、 Specific selection criteria: look, ask, check

You can select according to the following steps and criteria:

1. Look at materials and craftsmanship
board:
Preferred: Solid wood materials (sourced from sustainably managed forests, preferably FSC certified).
Secondary options: Metal steel, aluminum, easy to recycle, bamboo (fast-growing, renewable).
Artificial board: It is necessary to choose boards that meet E0 or E1 levels (Chinese and European standards) or CARB-NAF (formaldehyde free) (California standards). This represents an extremely low formaldehyde emission from the board.
Coatings and adhesives:
Preferred: Use water-based paint, UV paint, or plant-based coatings. These coatings use water as a diluent and have extremely low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.
Finish:
First choice: Use natural wood veneer or melamine veneer (high-quality melamine veneer can effectively seal the formaldehyde inside the board).

2. Check certification and standards

Authoritative third-party certification is the "ID card" of eco-friendly furniture, more powerful than any salesperson's rhetoric.

International General Certification:
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification: ensures that wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
GREENGUARD certification: This is one of the strictest indoor air quality certifications, ensuring that the product emits very low levels of chemicals during use, making it particularly suitable for school and medical institution offices.
Cradle to Cradle certification: a top-level certification that measures the material health, recyclability, renewable energy use, and other dimensions of a product.
BIFMA LEVEL ®  Certification: According to the standards of the American Office Furniture Association, LEVEL certification (especially LEVEL 3) has comprehensive requirements for the sustainability, materials, energy use, and other aspects of furniture.

Important domestic certifications:
China Environmental Labeling (Ten Ring Certification): China's official environmental product certification is the basic entry threshold (such as Wen Yi Office Furniture passing the Ten Ring Certification).
Limit standards for harmful substances in furniture: Ensure that products comply with national standards such as GB 18584-2001.
3. Ask about design and durability
Furniture with longevity itself is the greatest environmental protection.
Modularity and flexibility: Choose office desks and screen workstations that can be freely combined and expanded. In this way, when the team adjusts or expands, there is no need to replace new furniture, only reconfiguration is required.
Easy to repair and replace parts: Inquire whether furniture components are easy to purchase and replace. A good office chair should be able to easily replace air rods, wheels, and sponge cushions.
Robust structure: Check if the connections (such as mortise and tenon joints, hardware) are secure and if the metal frame is thick. Durable means longer service life and less frequent replacement.

4. Consider the cycle and termination

Recyclability: Inquire whether the product is easy to disassemble and whether the materials are labeled as recyclable. For example, whether metal and plastic components are easy to separate and recycle.
Brand Recycling Program: Some leading environmental brands offer "trade in" or waste furniture recycling services to ensure that old furniture is properly disposed of or reused.
3、 Key points for selecting different types of furniture
Office desk/workstation:
Table board: FSC certified solid wood or E0/NAF grade board.
Framework: Steel is superior to plastic, more durable and easy to recycle.
Edge banding: Check if the edge banding is tight, smooth, and free of irritating odors.
Office chair:
Material: Recyclable materials (such as Wenyi Wenyi series) or natural fibers are preferred for seat cushions and backrests.
Certification: Office chairs are products that have been in close contact for a long time, and GREENGUARD Gold certification is very important.
Design: Choose brands that are ergonomic and durable, making it easier to find replacement parts for their components (air rods, wheels) years later.

File cabinets and storage cabinets:
We prefer steel filing cabinets because the recycling rate of steel is extremely high (such as the Wenyi steel cabinet).
Check if the powder coating is environmentally friendly, it is high-temperature baking paint.

Sofa and leisure furniture:
Framework: FSC certified wood or metal.
Filler: Choose natural latex and high elasticity sponge (odorless).
Fabric: Choose fabrics certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 to ensure that the textile does not contain harmful substances; Or choose renewable fabrics.
4、 Summary: Ask the manufacturer to provide a list of environmental protection documents

1. Set a budget and consider the long term: The initial investment in eco-friendly furniture may be high, but considering its durability and health benefits, the full lifecycle cost may be lower.
2. Request certification: directly request FSC, GREENGUARD, Ten Ring and other certification documents for the product from the sales party.
3. Personally experience: go to the exhibition hall to see, touch, and smell. Environmentally friendly furniture should not have a pungent or spicy odor.
4. Inquire about details: clarify the source of materials, type of coating, and whether recycling services are provided.
5. Focus on brand philosophy: Choose brands that prioritize sustainable development as their core strategy, as they are typically more transparent and responsible in materials, processes, and corporate governance.
6. Consider second-hand: If the budget is limited, high-quality second-hand refurbished furniture is an excellent environmentally friendly choice.

Through the multidimensional observations above, you can not only create a healthy and comfortable office environment for yourself and your employees, but also contribute to the sustainable development of the earth.