When you choose to shop for antiques, you not only enhance the decor of your space but also contribute to environmental sustainability. To be truly sustainable, simply recycling is not enough. By embodying the principles of re-use and repurposing, antiques play an active role in fostering a more sustainable lifestyle. Read on to uncover how and why antiques provide a more sustainable option against purchasing new.
To begin, antiques preserve natural resources and were created with the ultimate in green practices - the tools used in furniture manufacturing of the past were hand or treadle-operated, and the glues and dyes were produced from natural sources. A study conducted by carbon-clear.com calculated that a new piece of furniture would last 15 years whilst an antique piece would be resold every 30 years. Based on this pattern of consumption, the study concluded that the environmental impact of antique furniture is nearly six times less than that of new furniture.
Violet Grey is committed to restoring items to ensure they survive for future generations to enjoy. If you purchased an antique garden table from us, rather than buying new, you would save approximately 0.50 tonnes of carbon emissions or an impressive 4% of your annual carbon footprint.
Re-using antiques is a truly effective way for you to take direct action to help the environment and we hope you keep this in mind as you embark on your search for your next antique piece.
