The importance of eco-friendly materials in the furniture industry
We are witnessing a growing interest in the environment and the preservation of natural resources. This awareness is also reflected in the use of eco-friendly, biodegradable and sustainable materials. In this context, the furniture industry is reviewing its practices to adopt a more eco-friendly approach: there is an increased focus on the sustainable origin of raw materials, the durability of products and their life cycle management.
Eco-friendly furniture: how to choose the right materials?
Eco-friendly furniture is an important choice for those who want to furnish their spaces with the environment in mind. These furniture products are made with the goal of minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. If you’re looking for eco-friendly furniture, here’s how to recognize it.
- Sustainable and environmentally friendly materials: eco-friendly furniture is made from high-quality natural materials that are biodegradable. Solid wood is a prime example. Its reputation is based on its exceptional strength and durability over time. Compared to furniture made of synthetic or inferior materials, which often require frequent replacement, solid wood furniture retains its beauty and functionality even after prolonged use. Choosing solid wood furniture contributes to environmentally friendly, durable and sustainable furniture that not only meets your aesthetic needs, but also your commitment to the environment.
- Traceable materials: it is important to choose furniture made from materials whose origin is known, such as wood from responsibly managed sources or recycled wood. This choice aims to minimize the use of non-renewable natural resources. It is preferable to choose wood with a clearly defined life cycle, where any trees felled are replaced by new trees planted or growing rapidly, thus guaranteeing a sustainable supply.
- Avoiding harmful substances: a key element of environmentally friendly furniture is avoiding the use of harmful or toxic chemicals in finishes or treatments. This helps maintain a healthier environment for occupants. Riva 1920 uses only natural waxes and oils in its furniture finishes.
- Long-lasting: eco-friendly furniture is designed to last. This means they are made with superior quality and durable design, reducing the need for frequent replacement and helping to reduce the overall amount of waste produced.
- To avoid: conversely, it is important to avoid furniture made of materials whose origin cannot be traced, low quality furniture and low durability. Such furniture often contributes to a limited life cycle and increased resource consumption. By carefully choosing eco-friendly furniture, you can contribute to a more sustainable home and a greener future.
Riva 1920: a perfect synthesis of art and sustainability
Riva 1920 fully embraces the philosophy of eco-design: the company has earned a reputation of prestige and trust among its customers not only for the excellence of its design and craftsmanship in creating the highest quality solid wood furniture, but also for its unequivocal commitment to sustainability.
The furniture is made exclusively from responsibly sourced wood, carefully selected from forests that are subject to controlled and programmed harvesting. This practice guarantees the sustainable management of forest resources and ensures that every tree felled for the production of Riva 1920 furniture is replaced by new trees, thus preserving the health and balance of forest ecosystems.
For example, Italian poplar from Piedmont and Lower Lombardy is used for the production of plywood and blockboard. This choice is motivated by the consideration that poplar is a tree with extraordinary renewability characteristics due to its rapid growth cycle.
Riva 1920 also uses reclaimed wood such as Briccole wood, a precious material obtained from the salvage of oak poles, essential for navigation and tidal signaling in the Venice lagoon. Instead of being discarded, these woods are transformed into works of art, bringing with them the history and soul of a fascinating city.
Another extraordinary reclaimed material is the Lebanese cedar wood, which Riva 1920 salvages from trees that have fallen as a result of natural disasters or that have been cut down for safety reasons. In addition to the imposing beauty of this wood, cedar exudes an intense and unique fragrance that gives furniture made with this material an exceptional value that is particularly appreciated by lovers of design and the natural environment.
Another example is kauri wood, a material from New Zealand known for its exceptional durability and beauty. It is a reclaimed wood with a millennia-old history: these precious trees have been buried underground for about 50,000 years to ensure their perfect preservation. The trunks, which retain all the characteristics of freshly cut wood, are recovered and refined by Riva 1920, transforming them into luxurious and refined furniture, giving them a new existence. This process not only demonstrates respect for natural resources, but also celebrates the beauty and resilience of nature, transforming ancient materials into contemporary works of art.
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