Earlier this month, we wrote about the promising carbon labeling trend among brands to inform their customers about the ecological impacts of the products they use. Now, we’re happy to share that this trend is going beyond the food and cosmetic sectors to include the furniture industry too.
Enter Vestre, a Norwegian street furniture maker that has recently announced it will disclose the CO2 emissions of all of its products alongside their price — all in an effort to promote greater transparency and accountability in the furniture business.
As part of the initiative, the brand has created Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its entire inventory, revealing the amount of energy needed to manufacture their outdoor furniture pieces and their carbon footprint. Verified by an independent entity, the numbers will first be unveiled in the company’s 2021 catalog, after which they will appear on their website.
By listing this information, Vestre hopes its customers will make more environmentally-friendly buying decisions. “Citizens and purchasers can use their power to demand sustainable products but it’s hard to put into practice without strong benchmarks on what is and what is not sustainable,” said company CEO Jan Christian. “By certifying with ecolabels and displaying EPD values, brands can make that choice for the end-user a lot easier. Transparency means taking responsibility – only when we reach full accountability will a transition into a green and fair economy be possible.”
