For instance, CAP'EM focuses on eco-materials in construction. Many of the CAP'EM materials are derived from natural products which means that the fundamental building block of the product is renewable. But what do you do if you live or work in a situation that involves stuff that doesn't fit into this renewable way of thinking?
So much of materials decision making comes down to needs versus budget. And whilst the whole life cost argument is compelling and rightfully so (For those who don't know- whole life cost considers the impact of the product on more than just your pocketbook), sometimes the renewable products on offer just don't meet the specification.
Example- when fitting out Build4, we were in desperate need of tables for our mezzanine level. The budget said we couldn't afford brand new conference tables. Sustainable tables were difficult to source and expensive. My heart said that I didn't want something new made of chipboard and formeldyhyde infused glue- not to mention the carbon footprint of something most likely made in the far east. My head told me that there must be a marketplace for buying these things second hand because after all, in the waste hierarchy, re-using comes before re-cycling.
And of course there is a marketplace and it is alive and kicking. Which is why we have wooden folding tables (with a 1950s vibe), built to NATO specifications for the British Army and rescued from the Ministry of Defence for a knock down rate of £25 per table. The British Army didn't need them anymore and they augmented our upcycled cabinet beautifully!
One of the organisations that turned up on my Google search for second hand tables and chairs was a social enterprise called FRN- Furniture Recycling Network. Lo and behold FRN turned up this new year in an excellent collaboration with IKEA to encourage people to donate their used furniture locally. What a great way to close the second-hand loop!
I wonder how long a great re-using loop could go on with no need to produce anything new. I think we probably have produced enough stuff to keep us all going for a while...yes, I do realise that there are employment ramifications at play here, but for arguments' sake, we could train people in craft and maintenance skills...
My point, in a roundabout sort of way is there is never one correct answer to the sustainabiltiy question. Your needs will dictate your path and if you think that new is too expensive, what about looking at second hand? What better way to honour the resources and people that produced something than by giving it another life? And while you're at it, think about how you might ethically dispose of the item you're replacing. To start you off- a list of ideas follow:
Give them away at:
Freecycle
FRN (find local donation centres here)
Or try to earn a little extra cash by selling through:
Gumtree
Preloved
Second hand tables and chairs
Do you know of any other good organisations that support re-using? Let us know in the comment section!
Best wishes,
