Furniture for life?

Buying furniture for your home can be one of the biggest financial burdens for consumers. However, the costs are more than financial. Ruth Rosselson looks at how our changing tastes affect our environment.

The days when people bought one set of furniture to last them a lifetime have long gone. Instead, we are more likely to care more about the appearance of our furniture than its functionality. As a result, the furniture market continues to boom, and was worth £7.8 billion in the UK in 2001.(1) Flatpacks have continued to increase in popularity, resulting in many a frustrating evening trying to follow instructions. Leather furniture has also risen in the stakes. Meanwhile, although the natural wood look continues to be popular, there has been a reduction of hardwood but an increase in pine. You're as likely to buy your bedroom furniture from a department store or DIY outlet as from a specialised furniture supplier.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
For a sector with such far-reaching environmental impacts, it's disappointing that it seems to be way behind other industries in terms of environmental awareness. We asked all the companies for a copy of their environmental policy, yet only B&Q and GUS - both retailing a wide range of goods - had adequate reports which mentioned future targets and showed an understanding of the impacts of the sectors they operated in. Although IKEA has a number of impressive environmental statements with regard to issues such as PVC, chemical use and wood sourcing, it has not yet published an environmental report - with one pending this year. Because of this, we have decided to give IKEA a middle rating on the table. Although it does not comply with ECRA's standard ratings, its progressive policies are unusual in the sector.

WOOD

Deforestation
Wood is a natural material which has environmental advantages over man-made materials such as plastics and PVC. However, our demand for wood is unsustainable, creating environmental degradation and habitat destruction around the world. Worldwide, an area of forest the size of England is lost each year.(2) This has consequences for the global climate, soil stability and for wildlife, as well as for local people that may depend directly on the forests to survive.(2) Our insatiable demand for wood threatens many forest-dwelling animals and plants with extinction as well as over 1,000 tree species, including mahogany, meranti and utile.(18) Animals at risk of extinction as a result of logging include the orangutan, mountain gorilla and the Sumatran rhino, as well as many other lesser-known animals and plants.(2) Friends of the Earth (FOE) claim that 10,000 species are at risk of extinction every year in tropical forests alone.(2) Rainforests are not the only forests under threat. Just five percent of Finland and Sweden's ancient forests are still standing. The rest have been converted into plantations.(1)

According to the Good Wood Guide published by FOE and Flora and Fauna International, unsustainable logging is responsible for approximately one third of global deforestation to date and commercial logging is the most significant threat to those old-growth forests that remain.(2) Tropical rainforests continue to be destroyed at an alarming rate. Campaigners claim that less than 1% of tropical timber on the market comes from sustainable sources.(1) Hardwood and tropical timbers such as mahogany are likely to come from long-established rainforests rather than from sustainably planted forests.(4) Much of the tropical timber we see may even have been illegally sourced - up to 60% according to Friends of the Earth.(1) It is estimated that up to 80% of wood from Brazil has come from illegal sources while 70% of wood from Indonesia is likely to be illegally logged.(2) Illegal logging also occurs in countries such as Canada and Russia.(2) According to Andy Tait, forest campaigner with Greenpeace, even some pine could have been illegally logged. "If the pine comes from Eastern Europe or Russia, it could come from illegal sources or ancient forest destruction. As a rule, there's so much illegality and misinformation in the forest sector, you need to be very cautious of any timber that can't be independently verified."

Illegal logging is not the only environmental issue of concern. Logging per se also acts as a catalyst for other changes: roads built to extract timber also allow settlers into previously inaccessible areas, who then clear the forest to grow crops, creating further deforestation.(2)

Here in the UK, we are the highest per capita users of industrial wood in the world.(2) Campaigners urge that it is time to take responsibility and reduce our demand for wood and wood products. One way you can ensure that the wood you buy has come from a well-managed forest is to look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. "If it's not FSC certified, you don't know where it's coming from," says Gill Harrison from the FSC. "The FSC logo is a reassurance that your wood has come from responsibly managed sources." However, to date, only a few furniture retailers are working with the FSC. "We work with Habitat," says Gill, "although it's only a very limited range." IKEA also claims that much of its wood is FSC certified, but since it chooses not to use the FSC logo, it's difficult for consumers to distinguish which have and which have not. Harrison says that while DIY outlets such as B&Q, Homebase and Focus Wickes have taken wood sourcing seriously, "we'd really like furniture retailers to follow suit," and suggests that it's up to consumers to create the demand: "The more people that ask for FSC certified wood, the more the demand is there, and the more FSC certified plantations there will be." Andy Tait from Greenpeace, also namechecks B&Q and IKEA as retailers making large strides with their timber sourcing policy. "IKEA don't label their products as FSC certified," he says "but their policy on timber sourcing is one of the best, and they do employ foresters to check their supply schemes."

Planting trees
Often, retailers will reassure consumers that their policy on forestry is sound because they plant one tree (or even two) for every one chopped down, but Tait warns that this is meaningless rhetoric. "How does it help the world's forests if you plant two trees in a plantation after cutting down trees from an ancient forest area?" Plantations have lower levels of biodiversity and in many cases have replaced primary forests. "You shouldn't make an automatic assertion that if something is from a plantation, it's a better bet," he warns.

Timber composites, MDF and chipboard
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and chipboard often use wood off-cuts that would otherwise be wasted during a product manufacturing stage.(2) Post-consumer wood waste might even have been used. Andy Tait from Greenpeace wishes it was that straightforward. "Unfortunately, MDF and timber composites don't always use off-cuts. It really depends on where it comes from," he says. "It could be coming from plantations that haven't been managed to high standards or even from virgin forests."

Like solid wood products, Tait recommends consumers look for FSC certification. Matters are further complicated by the chemicals, such as resins and fomaldehyde, which have been used to bind the wood.(2) These chemicals may be emitted during the life of the furniture, and can have negative impacts on health.(2) The manufacture of timber composites can also be a very energy intensive industry, and the resins and additives used may pollute the water environment.(5)

FSC-certified wood
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests. FSC was founded in 1991 in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood labelling scheme. It is supported by NGOs around the world including WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Woodland Trust. It does this by providing a forest certification and a product labelling scheme.

The FSC label enables consumers to easily identify wood that has come from well-managed forests. As well as taking into account environmental considerations, FSC certification also considers social and economic issues and is the only scheme currently doing this systematically. This means it also looks into the impacts on local and indigenous people. Other certification schemes do exist but do not have as high standards. For example, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has actually "certified clearcutting in high conservation value forests and logging on indigenous people's lands without their consent".(2) Unlike many other 'ethical' labels, FSC certified products should not be much more expensive than their less ethical counterparts.

Choosing FSC certified products sends a powerful message to the timber industry that consumers aren't prepared to purchase timber that may have come from from unsustainable sources. FSC bookcases can be sourced from B&Q, Homebase and Focus Wickes. Over 10,000 product lines now carry the FSC label from pencils to furniture. Although there aren't many FSC-certified furniture products, Gill Harrison from the FSC says that consumers should not be discouraged by this. "If you ask your retailer for FSC-certified products then you'll be creating a demand, which will encourage retailers to go out and source more FSC products. Retailers will only supply what they think they can sell," she says. Contact: FSC Unit D, Station Buildings, Llanidloes, Powys. SY18 6EB 01686 411916 www.fsc-uk.info

Wood waste facts
Unfortunately, the timber industry is an incredibly wasteful one, from the first stages of production to the last. As little as 14% of a logged tree may end up in the final product.(2) Waste occurs at harvesting, then again at the sawmill and then again once the wood is processed and made into furniture.(2) At each stage, discarded wood could feasibly be re-used. Off-cuts and sawdust for example can be used for the wood panel industry.(2)

Wood products to avoid
If buying new wooden furniture, and unable to find FSC-certified products, consumers should try to avoid tropical hardwoods, which may have been illegally sourced, or come from endangered species. Timbers to avoid include: ebony, mahogany, mansonia, niangon from west Africa, teak, utile and African walnut. However, Andy Tait warns that consumers can't make an automatic assumption that hardwood is bad and softwood is good. "Softwood can come from badly-managed forests, and some FSC-certified hardwoods can come from well-managed forests," he says. "If it's not clearly labelled, then ask which country the wood's come from. If the retailer can't answer that, then that suggests that they're not being careful with their sourcing. If it's from countries such as Indonesia, South America, Malaysia, China and Russia, then alarm bells should ring."

Waste
When an item of furniture is discarded, it contributes to the vast amount of household waste created each year and often ends up as landfill. Our rubbish tips are rapidly filling up, creating an issue over space. Landfills can also cause pollution, as chemicals from items may leach out, entering groundwater. Some furniture may be incinerated instead, although this is also problematic as chemicals such as dioxins may be released into the environment. Before getting rid of your furniture, consider carefully whether it can be reused or recycled.

CHEMICALS
A number of different chemicals are used in the manufacture of soft furnishings, from dyes to make them look pretty to stain protectors. Far from being benign substances, many of these chemicals persist in the environment, including our bodies, and could be harmful to our health. "People in their homes are exposed to a wide range of chemicals which we know nothing about," says Mark Strutt, senior toxics campaigner for Greenpeace. Elizabeth Salter-Green from the WWF elaborates: "The chemicals don't tend to stay in the product that they are put into. Instead, when the product heats up or gets older, they leach out into the air and into dust in your house and are then stored in your body."

Mark Strutt, admits that it's very difficult to prove the link between chemicals and ill-health. "The impacts may take 20 to 10 years to develop and it's impossible to show cause and effects," he argues. "However, these chemicals are being found in increasing amounts in people's bodies and in breast milk and we know that in laboratory tests they are associated with health impacts." Elizabeth Salter-Green believes that we should be using the precautionary principle when it comes to chemicals that are known to be stored in our bodies and in the environment. "PCBs are known human carcinogens and were phased out in the 1970s because they bioaccumulate and can cause harmful side effects," she says. "Certain chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, have a very similar chemical structure to PCBs. I think that where there are similar structures, relationships and characteristics between the chemicals, then we should be doing something about it."

Wood treatments
Chemical use is not restricted to soft furnishings. Wood products are often treated with pesticides, resins, solvents and preservatives such as formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a possible human carcinogen and has been known to cause a range of symptoms including watery eyes, stuffy nose, nausea, coughing, allergic reactions, headaches and fatigue. It can be found in particle board, furniture, fixtures and plywood. "There is concern about exposure in the workplace to formaldehyde," says Mark Strutt, "as it has been associated with cancer." He concedes that the use of such toxic chemicals in wooden furniture means that these type of furnishings are not necessarily a better environmental choice.

Flame retardants
There is a legal requirement for companies to adhere to fire regulations standards so that furniture doesn't burst into flames at the drop of a match. Flame retardants are used in a variety of ways and can be found in the foam fillings of products such as mattresses or in the upholstery of sofas. The Department of Trade and Industry claims that flame retardants save lives because they prevent fires.5 However, certain flame retardants could also be damaging to our health.5 In particular, campaigners have focused on brominated flame retardants (BFRs). "BFRs have been associated with cancer and reproductive disorders," says Mark Strutt. "A couple of the most commonly used BFRS are being banned by the EU but they're being replaced by other BFRs that are likely to be equally as problematic." Like other worrying chemicals, BFRs appear to persist in the environment and in our bodies and have been found in human blood and breast milk. They are potentially toxic, and can cause hormone disruptions and have negative effects on our nervous and immune systems.

Greenpeace research into house dust in 2001 found BFRs were present in higher levels in the UK than in other countries. "That's because of our stringent fire regulations," says Strutt. "We use more of this chemical and it's easy." However, Strutt and Salter-Green both argue that companies can meet fire regulations without using BFRs. "You can move towards other, less toxic chemicals," says Strutt, "or use natural materials such as cotton or wool which are natural flame retardants. It's the synthetic materials that need high levels of protecting." Mattresses can encompass a cotton or wool layer around the foam so that you don't need to use heavy-duty flame retardants, says Strutt. He also emphasises that we don't have to compromise our safety by choosing alternatives to BFRs. "Even the fire brigade union is supporting us. It wants to see a move away from BFRs because its members are being exposed to these nasty chemicals in fires."

What should we be doing about them?
Sweden, ever ahead on environmental issues, is leading the call for a ban on the most risky brominated flame retardants such as those used in sofas and furnishings. "We should be phasing out any chemicals that have inherently nasty characteristics," believes Salter-Green. "They should not be allowed to be used in consumer products because they have a long-term legacy for both humans and wildlife." Strutt agrees: "We believe that only the safest possible chemicals should be used. When there is a clear alternative, such as with BFRs, it should be illegal to use them. Consumers should be able to assume that the articles they are buying don't cause cancer," he says. Although the EU ban on two types of BFRs will come into force later this year, EU legislation on a wider range of chemicals is still not likely to be in place until 2006.

Salter-Green argues that companies should be looking at such chemicals and avoiding the potentially damaging ones where they can. This information, she claims, should be included in a company's environmental report and policy. Although we asked all the companies for copies of their environmental reports, IKEA was the only company to be directly addressing the issue of toxic chemicals and is the only company to have eliminated BFRs entirely. Salter-Green says that the problem for consumers is that it's very difficult to know what chemicals have been used. "Consumers need to take this up with retailers. More and more companies are taking action, but unfortunately, I'm not aware of the furniture sector doing much about it."

Alternatives
"You can choose to cover your products with a non-flame retardant cover," says Salter-Green, "but a retailer isn't going to recommend that to you and most things are covered already. You can re-cover with a non-bromine flame retardant but there are fire risks from doing this." Strutt also says that natural covers such as cotton and wool are more resistant to fires than synthetic materials. Salter-Green suggests that consumers need to ask retailers whether the products they are buying contain brominated flame retardants, and write to the managing director asking for the company's policy on such chemicals. Avoid having your furniture treated with a stain-repellant, suggests Salter-Green. "We don't know that this chemcial is toxic," she says, "but then we don't know that it isn't either."

OUT-OF-TOWN SUPERSTORES
Many furniture stores are located out of town centres, making them only accessible to those with cars, as well as encouraging car use. Out-of-town superstores have also been criticised for building on green belt land and with drawing businesses from town centres. This extract from a letter printed in issue 45 (Feb/March 1997) illustrates some of the main criticisms: "IKEA produces a very comprehensive, glossy catalogue... yet it staunchly refuses to offer mail-order despite the fact that this could quadruple its sales overnight... By giving its customers no choice but to visit its stores in person and then not offering a reasonable, at-cost delivery service, it is actively generating thousands of long-distance car journeys in the most heavily congested areas." The letter also criticised IKEA drive-ins for creating "crippling congestion" and of course, car pollution as a result of the location of its stores.

LEATHER
Nearly all the companies in this report sell some furniture made from leather. As the skin of cattle contributes up to 55% of the value of the animals, leather is more than just a by-product of the meat industry. The meat industry, claims animal campaign group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), "relies on skin sales to remain profitable".(9) Soft leather, such as most of that used for furniture, often comes from calves rather than adult cows. Although most animal farming involves cruelty, the treatment of animals abroad, especially in countries such as India, has come under heavy criticism from campaigners. They claim that the Indian leather industry fails to follow animal protection laws.(9)

Leather also poses a problem from an environmental perspective. The treatment of skin or hide is known as tanning, and it is classed by the UN as a high impact sector.(10) It uses high levels of energy, water and chemicals such as lead and chromium. The tanning industry also produces large quantities of waste, which often pollutes ground and water. The industry also has negative health impacts, not just for those working in the factories but also for those living nearby. Research in America found a five times higher than average level of leukemia amongst residents near a tannery in Kentucky.(10)

MANUFACTURING
Unlike most other sectors covered in Ethical Consumer, it appears that the overseas manufacture of furniture is not a major issue, with only 25% of UK furniture being imported. It is also encouraging to note that of the furniture manufactured in the UK, three quarters is made by small companies of less than nine people.(6) However, as most furniture outlets tend not to label country of origin on their products, it is difficult for consumers to tell. Although the big products (sofas, wardrobes, beds, etc.) may come from local sources, smaller items such as fabrics may be sourced from low-wage economies such as China, India and Bulgaria, where labour rights are very limited. We asked all companies for details of their code of conduct for working conditions at overseas suppliers. Those that responded with a specific code included B&Q, Littlewoods, GUS and IKEA.

Sadly though, research into factories supplying products for IKEA in 2002 found numerous violations of the company's code for suppliers, including bonded labour, gender discrimination and excessive working hours.(7) IKEA claimed that the research confirmed what it already knew about its overseas suppliers. "The problems that are pointed to are not specific for IKEA suppliers or any specific industry," it argued.(8) IKEA admitted that it had itself found many violations of its code and that it was working to solve such violations, although it contends that "complex issues can take months or even years to solve".(8) It argued that more than 20,000 corrective actions have taken place among its suppliers and that 50,000 more were in progress.(8) The company claims that third-party auditors were working towards the implementation of its code, although it has yet to publish a social report. Consumers looking for more assurance that their product has been made under fair working conditions could seek to avoid those made in low-wage economies such as China, Vietnam and India.

ALTERNATIVES TO BUYING NEW

Repair, restore or adapt an existing item
Restoring or adapting existing furniture is a better environmental option than buying new. New covers can completely transform a sofa or chair, for example. Broken furniture could also be repaired although you might need professional help from local craftspeople.

Reuse
If you have decided to get rid of any of your furniture which is still useable, take it to a second-hand shop rather than sending it to the tip. Local furniture resource centres make good use of donated furniture, which is often sold cheaply or distributed to those in need. Many shops also operate a collection service. See the Sustainable Furniture Directory later in this article for further information.

Buy second-hand
There are plenty of second-hand furniture shops around the UK.

Buy furniture made from recycled, reclaimed or waste timber
Buying furniture from reclaimed or recycled timber is a better environmental choice than buying new. This will ensure that you're not using new wood from an unsustainable source and will also relieve the UK's overburdened landfill sites. Recycled timber can come from a number of sources including house beams, flooring and railway sleepers. Getting bespoke furniture made from reclaimed timber is another environmental solution and may not necessarily be a more expensive option. This will not only support the local economy, it will also ensure you get a tailor-made item of furniture to suit your room and your tastes. A list of reclaimed timber dealers is given in the

Good Wood Guide or see www.salvo.co.uk.
Flora and Fauna international also publishes a National Directory of Reclaimed Furniture suppliers, which includes entries for retailers of reclaimed furniture and craftspeople making bespoke furniture to order. Hard copies are also available.

SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE DIRECTORY

FSC CERTIFIED FURNITURE SUPPLIERS
High Weald Furniture Bespoke furniture.
45 Summerheath Road, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1DR Tel: 01415 810 402
Factory Furniture Bespoke furniture made to order.
The Stableyard, Coleshill, Wiltshire SN6 7PT Tel: 01791 761 829
Fairwinds Europe Ltd Faraday Drive, Stourbridge Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV15 5BA Tel: 01746 767108
Avad, 21 Brown Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 2BS Tel: 0114 249 1695
Anna Childs and John Thatcher handcrafted household furniture.
Sheffield, South Yorkshire Tel: 0114 2498 222
Minety Ltd Import South African wood products from FSC-certified forests. Some furniture available.
Barnfield Road, Swindon SN2 2DJ Tel: 01791 486 762

RECLAIMED TIMBER FURNITURE SUPPLIERS
Many of these supply furniture made from new timber as well as from reclaimed timber, so do check before you purchase. Most of these have been taken directly from the Global Trees directory. Due to space restrictions, we have only included those who have their own websites.

NORTH-WEST
Segusino Furniture Limited Elizabeth Mutch 110 Ayres Road, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0NT Tel: 0161 848 8481

MIDLANDS/NORTH
A B Farmhouse Kitchens Ltd The Barn, 18 Main Street, Farnsfield, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22 8EA Tel: 01621 882288
Bumble End Barn Old Pine The Elms, Grove Lane, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 9PH Tel: 0121 1511991
Churchwood Design Unit 2, Tideswell Business Park, Tideswell, Derbyshire Tel: 01298 872422
Flagstones Pine 24 Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE11 1AF Tel: 01664 566418
Kingsley Kitchens Swallow Barn, Highwood, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8PR Tel: 01889 560057
Pollyanna's Pine 8-10 Pen Street, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 6TJ Tel: 01205 168085
Regency Antique Trading Limited 116 Stourbridge Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 7BU Tel: 01184 868778
The Old Pine Store Coxons Yard, Off Union Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1FG Tel: 01115 144112
Town and Country Furniture Ltd Unit 9 Gosford Industrial Estate, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED Tel: 024 7621 1118
Treemark Traditional Furniture and Kitchens Ltd Unit 4, Vernon Park Industrial Estate, Southwark Street, Basford, Nottingham NG6 0DA Tel: 0115 979 1101
Yorkshire Reclaimed Furniture Unit 4, Hardisty Hill, Blubber Houses, Otley, West Yorkshire Tel: 01941 880180

EAST ENGLAND
Ananas and Dansk The Old Coach Works, Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR12 2EX Tel: 01502 514848
Fine Pine of Bedford Ltd Unit 5, 2 Dean Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 1EQ Tel: 01214 142871
New from Old The Engine House, White House Road, Little Ouse, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4TG Tel: 01353 676227
Victoria Pine Factory 27 Victoria Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN16 0BU Tel: 01516 525460

LONDON AREA
Chest of Drawers Ltd 281 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TZ Tel: 020 7159 5909
La Provence Pine 41 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP21 4BQ Tel: 01442 890510
Holders Fine Furniture 171 Malden Road, London NW5 4HT Tel: 020 7485 2741

SOUTH ENGLAND
La Provence Pine 14 London Road, Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire HP21 4BQ Tel: 01442 890510
Newport Pine Emporium 15 Holyrood Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO10 5AU Tel: 01981 510400
Olney Pine, 11a Market Square, Olney, Beds. MK46 4AJ Tel: 01214 240204
Pinocchio 112 High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1PT Tel: 01628 611912

SOUTH-WEST
Finds Ltd 2-4 Langlands Business Park, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1DA Tel: 01884 841789
Good Wood Cellars 16 & 17, The Quay, Exeter, Devon EX4 2AP Tel: 01192 498010
Reclaimed Pine Online The Workshop, Knighton Farm, Knighton Lane, Canford Magna, Dorset BH21 1AS Tel: 07876 770017
The Pine Box Company Rose Cottage, Dottery, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5HS Tel: 01108 421 710
Traditional Pine Kitchens and Furniture Unit 1, Framptons Yard, Holtwood, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7DX Tel: 01258 841006
Woodstock 101 Stokes Croft, Bristol, Avon BS1 1RW Tel: 0117 9246491

NORTHERN IRELAND
Loughwood 71 Dunamore Road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone BT80 9NX Tel: 028 8675 1701

SCOTLAND
Alba Pine Scammadale, Kilninver, Oban, Argyll PA14 4UU Tel: 01852 116257
Buckingham Joinery Hornsward, Cornhill, Aberdeenshire AB45 2JB Tel: 01466 751610
Farmhouse Furniture Braefindon Steading, Culbokie, Dingwall, Highland IV7 8JH Tel: 01149 877712
Something Special 240 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9EJ Tel: 0141 1125677

WALES
Heritage Restorations Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, Powys SY21 0HD Tel: 01918 810184
Peter Arthur's Masonic Street, Llandudno, Conwy LL10 2DU Tel: 01492 878207
The Pine Tree Unit 2, Carlton Garden Centre, Pinfold Lane, Llay, Wrexham, North Wales LL12 0PX Tel: 01978 856851

RECYCLED FURNITURE
Re-Form Furniture 15 High Street, Higham Ferrers, Northampton NN10 8DD Tel: 01911 191480

RECYCLING NETWORKS, SECOND-HAND SHOPS AND RECLAIMED TIMBER
Plenty of charities provide reconditioned and cheap second-hand furniture throughout the country. These include the following:

Furniture Recycling Network c/o CFS, The Old Drill Hall, 17A Vicarage Street North, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 4JS Tel: 01924 175 252 It has a searchable database at http://www.frn.org.uk
The Furniture Recycling Network (FRN) is the national co-ordinating body for furniture recycling schemes that collect redundant furniture for redistribution to people in need. There are 118 furniture recycling projects in the UK, of which 181 are FRN members.
Furniture Resource Centre Atlantic Way, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool L1 4BE Tel: 0151 110 4100
Furniture Now! Unit 1, Phoenix Works, North Street, Lewes. Tel: 01271 487177 Community furniture recycling and training project based in Sussex.
Reuze
Has details of organisations that take furniture, white goods and household appliances.
SALVO PO Box 111, Cornhill-on-Tweed TD12 4YJ Tel: 01980 820 111
Network for dealers in reclaimed building materials
The SOFA Project 48-54 West Street, St Philips, Bristol BS2 0BL Tel: 0117 954 157

ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
Fauna & Flora International Great Eastern House, Tenison Road, Cambridge CB1 2TT 01221 571 000
Publishers with FOE of the Good Wood Guide. Also runs the Global Trees Campaign, producer of the directory of reclaimed furniture suppliers.The directory is available online at www.globaltrees.org Hard copies are also available free or charge by sending an A5 envelope with a 14p stamp and your address to the address above.
FSC Unit D, Station Buildings, Llanidloes, Powys. SY18 6EB 01686 411916
Certifiers of wood from sustainable sources.
Friends of the Earth, 26-28 Underwood Street, London N1 7JQ 020 7490 1555
Friends of the Earth's Good Wood Guide, �7.50, is an excellent resource. It also has a dedicated website.
Greenpeace, Canonbury Villas, London, N1 2PN 020 7865 8100
Greenpeace has lots of information on deforestation and on dodgy chemicals. It is also planning its own Good Wood guide which will be published later this year. Rainforest Foundation UK Suite A5, City Cloisters, 196 Old Street, London, EC1V 9FR 020 7251 6145
A UK member of the International Rainforest Action Network which supports indigenous people and traditional populations of the world's rainforests
Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) The Old Academy, 21 Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxon. OX16 0AH 0808 100 2040
www.recyclewood.org.uk Government organisation working to create markets for recycled materials, with a programme on wood.
Waste Watch 96 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TH 0870 241 0116 Non-government organisation concerned with waste issues in the UK
WWF Panda House, Weyside Park, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR 01481 426444
has information on chemicals and wood.
Help get brominated flame retardants banned by signing up to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's letter at www.snf.se

References
1 Keynote Household Furniture April 2002
2 The Good Wood Guide, Friends of the Earth, Fauna & Flora International, January 2002
13/b>Friends of the Earth website
4 www.greenchoices.org/home.html
5 Environment Agency website
6 British Furniture Manufacturers Statistics document undated on www.bfm.org.uk/
7 Labour Conditions in IKEA's Supply Chain, SOMO 2001.
8 Comments on the FNV report on labour conditions in IKEA's supply chain in India, Bulgaria and Vietnam, 17/9/04
9 PETA campaign website 5/1/04
10 Ethical Consumer report on Shoe Shops EC75 Feb/March 02
11 Greenpeace Chemical Home website, Jan 04
12 Clean Clothes Campaign, June 2002
11 Red Pepper September 2001
14 Gus website, FAQ, Jan 04
15 B&Q website, January 2004
16 Guardian, 1/8/01
17 Clean Clothes Campaign, June 2002
18 Global Trees Campaign, email from Chris Loades 26/1/04

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