Eco-Friendly Office Furniture: What to Look For
In today’s environmentally conscious workplace, the demand for eco-friendly office furniture is on the rise. Whether you're fitting out a new office or upgrading an existing one, choosing sustainable pieces is not just good for the planet — it's good for your business image and your employees too.
Here’s what to look for when selecting eco furniture that truly supports your organisation’s sustainability goals.
Key Takeaways
Choose furniture made from sustainable materials like bamboo, FSC-certified wood, or recycled metal.
Opt for modular and repairable designs that extend the furniture’s lifespan and reduce waste.
Prioritise designs that are easy to disassemble and can be recycled at the end of life.
Select low-VOC finishes to improve indoor air quality and employee wellbeing.
Look for eco-friendly certifications such as FSC, Cradle to Cradle, and GREENGUARD Gold.
Support brands with transparent supply chains and ethical manufacturing practices.
Why Eco-Friendly Office Furniture Matters
Sustainable furniture helps reduce your company’s environmental footprint by cutting down on waste, carbon emissions, and harmful materials. With businesses increasingly adopting green policies, opting for eco-conscious furniture is a practical step towards meaningful change.
At Whiteleys Office, we believe that design and sustainability can go hand in hand - offering solutions that support the environment without compromising on style or function.
Read more about why sustainability in the workplace matters in our dedicated article.
1. Sustainable Materials
The most important feature of eco friendly furniture is the use of low-impact materials. Look for:
Bamboo
A fast-growing, renewable resource that's becoming increasingly popular for office furniture.
FSC-Certified Wood
Ensures the timber comes from responsibly managed forests.
Recycled Metal and Plastic
Gives new life to materials that might otherwise go to landfill.
Avoid virgin plastics or materials with heavy chemical treatments. These may be cheaper, but they carry a greater environmental cost over time.
2. Modular & Repairable Design
Eco-friendly design isn’t just about how furniture is made — it’s also about how long it lasts.
Choose items with:
Modular components (e.g. removable arms, panels or legs)
Replaceable parts
Repairable frames
This allows you to extend the life of each piece and reduce unnecessary waste from replacements.
3. Designed for Disassembly
At the end of its lifecycle, sustainable furniture should be easy to take apart and recycle.
Choose designs that:
Use mechanical fasteners (screws/bolts) rather than adhesives
Separate easily into recyclable materials
Come with end-of-life guidance
This ensures the materials can be returned to the manufacturing cycle, supporting a circular economy.
4. Low VOC Finishes
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are found in paints, adhesives and sealants. High VOC levels can affect indoor air quality and employee wellbeing.
Look for furniture that is finished with low-VOC or water-based coatings to create a healthier workplace.
5. Eco Certifications
When choosing eco-friendly office furniture, it's helpful to look out for independent environmental certifications that reflect sustainable design and low emissions. Some of the most recognised include:
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - for responsibly sourced timber
Cradle to Cradle - for circular product design
GREENGUARD Gold - for low chemical emissions
BIFMA Level - for broader sustainability benchmarks in commercial furniture
While not every product on the market carries these labels, knowing what they mean can help you make more informed decisions when evaluating sustainable options.
6. Manufacturing & Supply Chain Transparency
Eco-friendly furniture isn't just about what it’s made from - how it’s made matters too. More companies are starting to consider:
Local manufacturing to reduce transport emissions
Ethical supply chains with fair labour practices
Sustainable packaging that’s recyclable or compostable
At Whiteleys Office, we work closely with trusted UK and European suppliers and are always happy to help clients explore the most sustainable options available based on their project needs and priorities.
Final Thoughts
Eco-friendly office furniture is more than a trend - it's an investment in a better future. By focusing on sustainable materials, low-impact finishes, and thoughtful design, businesses can create workplaces that are both functional and forward-thinking.
Looking to create a greener workspace? Get in touch with Whiteleys to discuss how we can help design and furnish an office that’s as sustainable as it is stylish.