What I Would Buy- Climate Strike Edition- ecoBirdy
In honor of the Global Climate Strike, and in honor of pushing the Interior Design Industry to be more green, I’m highlighting one company who’s furniture is incredibly well designed AND made from recycling discarded plastic children’s toys. BRILLIANT. Historically in the Interior Design industry “Green” meant plain and scratchy and well green colors. I guess the idea was that people who want “Green” products want their products to LOOK “Green”. Which could be the case in some instances but for the most part people want their style and ALSO environmentally friendly. It still has a long way to go.
ecoBirdy is a children’s furniture company based in Antwerp and every point in the process is done in Europe. So, at least if you’re living in Europe, you can feel good that your furniture isn’t traveling around the world before it gets to you. The furniture is made of recycled plastic children’s toys. Brilliant. In addition to all of that good the company also provides education to introduce youngsters to the circular economy and inspire them to contribute to a more sustainable future.
“The collection of kids furniture pieces is entirely made of recycled plastic from European waste. Each step is based on social and environmental responsibility.”
Plus the products look really good. Because to be honest regardless of how wonderful your product is in terms of transparency & environmental friendly if it doesn’t look good people won’t buy it. They won’t notice it and it’ll actually create a picture in their minds that environmentally friendly means ugly.
The table & chairs are indoor/ outdoor friendly too! And lightweight so kids can move them themselves. And the colors are beautiful.
Look at that darling Kiwi storage container and rhino lamp. Kids will love these and they’re not an eyesore like so many children’s products.
ecoBirdy also works with schools and children’s programs to provide furniture and education.
This is definitely a buy less but better situation. You could argue you’d never spend that much on children’s furniture. And that’s how things need to shift. If you consider how the cheaper items are made and where they go when you’re done with them, the entire environmental impact of the product over its life then you’ll see how ecoBirdy isn’t so expensive afterall. And honestly I think it’s priced very well.
Sure not everyone needs children’s furniture. But the benefit in knowing about sustainable companies is that you’ll start to see more of them. Even better if we can join together and expect more out of our favorite companies. We have a lot of power in our buying. If we demand it the market will provide it. Lets get the Home Decor industry to really look at itself and make a change.
Jamie House Design has always been committed to designing and producing interiors with low impact on the environment. We can do better and are looking at ways to do so.
I’ve also been looking at how we live and what we can change to produce less waste and reduce our environmental impact at home. This has included using cloth napkins, never using disposable cups, plates, or cutlery, using cloths to wipe up spills and clean with, no more swiffers, homemade cleaners, etc etc. It’s a process and I can post about that on another day. But getting started on the process is the most important thing you can do!
We can no longer pretend our daily actions don’t have consequences even if we don’t immediately see the consequences. Thank you for doing your part!