You might be unfamiliar with the term “fast furniture”, but you’ve likely heard of “fast fashion” an industry that replicates high-fashion designs at a low cost. Like its fashion counterpart, fast furniture is usually made from low-quality materials with the aim of being more affordable for consumers. However, there are many reasons why people are turning their backs on these industries, both ethically and personally. In this EZ Living Furniture blog, we’ll outline the top 5 reasons why you should avoid cheap, flat-pack furnishings and instead invest in top-quality alternatives that will stay with you year after year.
1. Fast Furniture Contributes To Landfill Waste
For a relatively small country, Ireland produces a great deal of waste. While some of this is recyclable, a huge amount is sent directly to landfill and unfortunately, this includes bulkier items like furniture too. Fly-tipping incidents involving mattresses and furnishings have also increased as a result of the fast furniture culture. A recent study suggests that less than 1 in 10 people consider repairing these items to extend their lifespan.
2. Fast Furniture’s Lifespan Is Remarkably Short
Fast furniture is typically made using plastic-based materials and low-quality wood. So, it’s not surprising to learn that they don’t last very long. For many consumers, the remarkably short lifespan is rationalised by their cheap price point. This choice to buy low-cost furniture ultimately fuels a “throwaway culture”.
3. Fast Furniture Is Prone To Damage & Harmful To The Environment
These short-lived items contribute significantly to Ireland’s ever-growing waste problem. They’re prone to damage because they are made using inadequate materials. When the owner finds that they are no longer fit for purpose, it’s incredibly difficult to recycle them. The inclusion of plastic in these items means that it can take up to 450 years for them to break down into millions of tiny particles and even at that, they never fully disappear.
4. Fast Furniture Has An Economic Impact Too
Our throwaway culture doesn’t just harm the environment, it has an economic impact too! The more we throw out, the more challenges there are for waste management which in turn leads to greater costs for taxpayers and households. So while the environmental impact is huge, so too is the effect on the average person’s pocket.
5. Fast Furniture Wastes Precious Free Time
Fast furniture has an average lifespan of between 4 to 8 years, which is far less than solid wood alternatives which can last between 20 and 30 years. Should you purchase short-lived items, you will find that you will end up using a lot of your free time to research and shop for replacements. If we are to use the statistics above, buying the cheaper alternative will mean that you need to shop for a new item of furniture 5 times more than if you were to choose something crafted from solid wood.
What Are We Doing To Help?
EZ Living Furniture has implemented recycling initiatives to reduce waste and increase the percentage of items recycled. For many years, we have offered services that allow customers to easily dispose of packaging, old mattresses, and electrical waste like lighting and lightbulbs.
Our furniture is crafted from the best materials and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure our high quality meets the expectations of our customers. If we fall short of delivering this promise, we will happily collect the item and ensure that it finds a home through our outlet stores.
Our outlet stores were established to ensure that all furniture finds a home whether it’s clearance, ex-display, or slightly imperfect stock. This initiative helps to reduce furniture waste by offering it to customers at bargain prices (up to 70% off). New stock is added to our outlet stores in Galway and Dublin daily.
We also stock a wide range of sustainable furniture in all of our stores and online. We aim to increase the amount of reclaimed wood items in our ranges over the next few years.
So, What Is The Way Forward?
While we’re doing our bit, there’s still lots more to be done. We urge other furniture retailers to follow our lead and supply solid wood and sustainable items. Furniture must be durable, repairable, and failing that, easily recyclable. Consumers also need to play their part and prioritise buying quality items to help protect our planet and the economy.
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