Sustainability comes in many shapes and sizes, from environmental commitments to simply ensuring a business is able to survive and thrive for the long-haul, reinventing itself to meet new challenges. In the built environment and property sector there are real opportunities for businesses to make changes that will reduce the impact on the environment without affecting the quality of service or delivery.

When we are sourcing and recommending products to clients, we try to ensure we use manufacturers who share this ethos and take a sustainable approach throughout product creation.  This might involve working with companies whose designs use 100% recyclable raw materials for example and can be disassembled easily when they reach the end of their lifecycle. We look for products that are built to last a long time using good design and quality or those that require fewer components and parts. We know that opting for good quality plastics will ensure a product lasts longer.

We also look at how they optimise their processes and resources used in both manufacturing and packaging and whether, for example, they recycle production scraps. We also ask that as much packaging as possible is removed from products before final delivery, to increase likelihood of it being recycled. Carton boxes should be totally non-toxic and recyclable with printing with non-toxic ink, and packaging should be fully recyclable, ideally made from corrugated paperboard which is widely recycled into new paper products.

A good example of one of our manufactures incorporating design and sustainability is Plastic Whale and Vepa Furniture. They recently launched a range of office furniture called “Plastic Whale by Vepa”. This range is made using only plastics found in the Amsterdam canal or waste from their other products. The two pioneers joined forces to take action against the plastics problem destroying our oceans.

In conclusion, we believe we can deliver inspirational and effective workspace environments through distinctive furnishing solutions, whilst also ensuring that we are working with partners that share our commitment to sustainability.