How Sustainable Furniture Shapes Better Workspaces

The present and future is sustainability. That’s why we care about creating aesthetic, impactful and sustainable furniture that not only makes the office comfortable but also memorable.

What makes furniture sustainable?

The clue’s in the name. Sustainable furniture is furniture which is designed and made with minimal or negative impact on the environment and society in general. However, as we know, many factors contribute to furniture’s so-called “sustainability”, from the manufacture process to the products used (like FSC-certified wood or recycled plastic), and the durability of the furniture itself.  In particular, much sustainable furniture incorporates modular design for easy disassembly and replacement, rather than having to replace entire pieces.

The benefits of sustainable furniture in the workplace

Beyond the natural benefits of sustainable furniture, we believe that it helps to create a healthier environment overall. Using low-VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes, natural fabrics and solid woods can help to reduce the risk of harmful emissions which in turn affects air quality in the office. Studies have proven that prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals and materials can lead to a range of health issues from respiratory issues to allergies and serious health problems.

Choosing well-designed, durable and ergonomic furniture protects employee’s posture, allowing for a content and comfortable in-office environment. Prioritising this can also emphasise your commitment to your employees, resulting in a more positive and productive work environment.

Frovi’s Commitment to Sustainability

As designers, we believe that furniture should be functional and beautiful but also sustainable. We prioritise sustainable materials as much as possible and ensure that all our designs support a more circular, environmentally conscious culture.

FSC®– C134751

The vast majority of our timber products are certified FSC^®– C134751, meaning that you can trust these materials have originated from sustainable and legal sources.

SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

Our products are tested to ensure they contain zero harmful VOCs and are accredited as SCS Indoor Advantage Gold.

ISO 14001

We adhere to the ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

Environmental Product Declaration certificate

All Frovi powder coating has an Environmental Product Declaration certificate because of our low energy and temperate curing process.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

• Our waste chipboard isre-used to heat factories and old metalwork recycled

• We use water-based lacquers to stain and finish our products

Sustainability trends to look out for

Continual advancements are being made in the world of sustainable design, and we are committed to constantly innovating. Here are some upcoming sustainability trends to keep an eye on…

Bio-based materials

Bio-based sustainable materials are derived from renewable biological resources like plants, algae, fungi and bacteria and are often used instead of environmentally impacting materials like wood or harmful plastics. The use of algae-based materials in furniture design is particularly exciting as algae grows quickly, can capture carbon during cultivation, do not take up large tracts of land or require fertilisers.

Despite these significant benefits there are also challenges as production of algae-based materials remain high, durability of products can vary, and composting facilities are often needed for end-of-life processing. It’s a fairly new material but there’s plenty of room for growth applications.

Bamboo

“Bamboo was designed to bring sustainability and softness into the workspace, natural materials, modular thinking, and a lighter footprint.”

Bamboo is another upcoming sustainability trend absorbs more CO2 and releases more oxygen than hardwood. That’s why we use it in our designs, combined with connectors made from recycled ocean plastic and recycled packaging.

Circular Economy Expansion

It may sound simple, but a growing sustainability trend is the tightening of circular economy systems by, reducing waste by reusing, refurbishing, and recycling materials. There is an ever-increasing move towards a closed-loop system, where products lifecycles are extended and waste management could become obsolete.

Transparency in reporting

As sustainability becomes more of a necessary business function rather than an optional action, regulations around environmental reporting is becoming more stringent. In 2025 and beyond, businesses need to actively commit to using more sustainable materials, procedures and production and be able to prove this. Corporate “greenwashing” has been a huge issue in the past and new legislation like the “Green Claims Directive” are expected to come into effect by 2028 which establishes clear criteria for companies to substantiate environmental claims and labels.

Discover Frovi

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Frovi. We know that it is more than an obligation to meet the needs of the present and refuse to compromise the needs of future generations.

Explore our sustainable product ranges and find out more about our environmental commitments.