Buying quality furniture is a responsible choice
More bang for our buck: it’s an expression we often hear. Wanting more for the same price or finding a similar item to what we wanted for a fraction of the price, these are dilemmas we all face at some moment.
In this article:
- Sustainability
- Cost-efficiency
- Ecological footprint
Making ecoresponsible choices is never easy. A study shows that more than one consumer out of every two believes they are shopping ecoresponsibly. They are mainly people with lower revenues. How do we invest in quality, in comfort and in our environment? To explore the issue, we’ve deconstrued quality in three important points.
Sustainability
Let he who has never purchased a cheap shoe throw the first pair! And we all know where we can find these shoes a few weeks later, don’t we? Investing in sustainability is an ability that can be taught, according the United Nations for education, science and culture. In its global report on education, it noted that human beings must develop the abilities, concepts and tools to diminish or abolish non-sustainable practices. The UN believes that though education promotes sustainability, it is not always done in a positive way. The knowledge and openness that the Internet provides can encourage non-sustainable practices such as overconsumption of resources. That’s a contemporary issue.
Sustainability means caring about manufacturing, choosing noble materials such as hardwood, leather and natural fabrics rather than plywood and synthetic fabrics. Just like everyone has bought that cheap pair of shoes, many of us have inherited precious objects or furniture from a grandparent. Still in good shape and cherished dozens of years later. Investing in sustainability is investing in something we will want to leave to our children, that will be part of the history of your home and your family.
Cost-efficiency
It might be tempting to choose low-cost furniture, but consider the steps in the supply chain that justify that price. Other than the cost of labour and the choice of materials, take a look at the finish. Detailed work, from the cushion’s zipper through the firmness of the seat to the varnish on the furniture, for example, will not have the same care as there is expertise required. Same thing for assembly. All these steps require time, and time is money…
Cutting corners on a multitude of details means that an item can be offered at a very affordable price, but without having the same durability of the same item manufactured with care and attention. You will soon find yourself back at the starting point and need to replace the item. Considering cost-efficiency means you don’t keep paying money for the same item. And have more money that stays in your wallet.
Ecological footprint
This explains that. Buying cheap goods that will not last long is wasteful. The more we consume, the more our ecological footprint is bad. The United Nations explains that man has contributed to the degradation of the environment and climate change by the increase of resources consumed per resident. Concretely, they indicate that countries where living conditions improved rapidly nearly doubled their ecological footprint over the course of the last two decades. For the good of the environment and future generations, it is vital to purchase responsibly.
To resume, investing in quality furniture is a sensible choice for us, our economies and our planet. Before shopping, the Office du consommateur provides some matter for reflection to make the best choice:
- Why do you need this good?
- Does this good answer a need or a wish? Why?
- To what end will this good be used? How will you use it?
- What price are you ready to pay?
- Do you need accessories that are purchased separately?
By starting with light research on the Internet or in-store, you can then quickly determine the purchasing options that are open to you. Noting them with their own information is a good way to compare and make a wise, sustainable, cost-efficient and ecological choice.
Sources :
- https://gem-report-2016.unesco.org/fr/chapter/la-planete-vers-la-durabilite-environnementale/#:~:text=L'%C3%A9ducation%20environnementale%20encourage%20les,environnement%20et%20l'activisme%20environnemental.
- https://www.equiterre.org/projet/consommation-responsable
- https://ocresponsable.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BCR_2018.pdf
- https://www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/media/documents/parent/OPC_PARENTS_demarche_d_achat.pdf
