Is there an age when particle board furniture becomes passée? Recent research says yes. The magic number for dumping the cheap stuff is 28, according to a poll of 2,000 general population Americans.
The survey – commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress – also revealed that while 52 percent of respondents currently own fast furniture, only 56 percent think it’s acceptable for the long haul. One more interesting stat: 47 percent fessed up that they’d judge someone who kept these furnishings in their home as a mature adult.
Just to clarify, we’re talking about goods that are inexpensive, mass-produced, and designed to be quickly assembled and replaced. But here’s the scary part: 83 percent admitted they’re likely to throw these items away, which means they’re headed to landfills – or worse.
“Unfortunately, the medium density fiberboard and particle board commonly used in fast furniture often contain known carcinogens,” said Jessica Hann, Avocado Green Mattress Vice President of Brand Marketing and Sustainability.
The pandemic only acerbated the situation. Sales of desks, chairs, and patio equipment increased by more than $4 billion from 2019 to 2021 – and a lot of it won’t survive the decade.
Many of the beds and desks bought during the Covid-19 lockdown were designed to last about five years, said Deana McDonagh, a professor of industrial design at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
“I relate to fast furniture like I do to fast food. It’s empty of culture, and it’s not carrying any history with it,” McDonagh says.
Here’s the problem: Each year, Americans discard more than 12 million tons of furniture, creating mountains of solid waste that has grown 450 percent since 1960, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
“It’s quite a big problem, both spatially and also because of the way a lot of fast furniture is made now, it’s not just wood and metal. The materials don’t biodegrade or break down,” said Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert and the author of “Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet.”
Tough criticism, to be sure. But despite its flaws, fast furniture still offers millions of homeowners the opportunity to live stylishly at an accessible price point.
So, who’s buying? For starters, first-time buyers and renters. Even if they wanted to shop for custom furniture or antiques, they simply lack the resources. Fast furnishings are also an attractive option for short-term rentals, college apartments, and second homes.
The good news: Major companies are stepping up to the plate.
Wayfair pledged in its most recent corporate responsibility report to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63 percent by 2035. And Ikea’s sustainability strategy includes using only recycled or renewable materials and creating zero waste by 2030.
“Keeping prices low is a cornerstone of our business,” Ikea of Sweden said in a statement to the New York Times. “But this must never come at the expense of people and the environment.”
Instead of throwing furniture in the trash, consider these sustainably minded alternatives.
Sell it online
Options include Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for lower-priced items, and Chairish and 1st Dibs for pricier goods. When selling on local second-hand marketplaces, remember to price accordingly. Just because you paid $2,000 for it new a few years ago doesn’t mean that it’s still worth that used. Clean it, take good pictures, and provide measurements, according to a recent Forbes article offering tips for successfully listing and selling furniture.
Eco-friendly junk collectors
A quick google search turned up several local services including the cleverly named Junk King, who’ll pickup your used furniture and find sources to reuse or donate it.
Non-profit donation centers
Among those offering free pick-up: Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, and The Family Place Resale Shop. Check websites for acceptable items.
