Buying a Conventional Office Chair vs an Ecofriendly Chair

EcoGreenOffice supplies more than 1,600 different kinds of chairs and stools, some are labeled as conventional and the majority are labeled as “green.”

When it comes to picking out a new chair(s) for the office, what are the benefits of purchasing one that’s green instead of one that’s conventional? 

Chairs that qualify as green among EcoGreenOffice’s product catalog have to be made made from post-consumer content.  

Any product made from post-consumer content -- weather it’s paper or furniture -- is positive for the environment.  Recycling materials to make products is critical, because it helps to lessen the problem of landfills growing at an alarming rate. 

Chairs made anywhere between 46 to 77 percent post-consumer content are available through EcoGreenOffice in a variety of styles, from high-back swivel chairs that reduce strain on the back, to guest chairs and “café- height stools.”

Finding a chair that’s made from post-consumer content — and nontoxic materials — is even greener. Chairs made from harmful chemicals can decrease indoor air quality.  Employee performance, speed and accuracy increases anywhere from 4 to 16 percent when indoor pollutant sources are removed, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Avoid furniture made from PVC, such as inflatable furniture, artificial leather and PVC-coated fabric and choose products that do not contain toxic flame retardents (PBDEs). 

  

Although not manufactured using post-consumer content, you can find conventional chairs supplied through EcoGreenOffice that are made from nontoxic materials, such as the 5000 Series Park Avenue Guest Chair made from leather and wood. 

When it comes to the wallet, green chairs supplied through EcoGreenOffice are offered at a competitive prices.  A comparable conventional chair may even be more expensive than a chair made from post-consumer content.  For example, a tall conventional swivel chair costs $560.99, compared to a mid-back swivel chair made from 54 percent post-consumer content, offered at $458.99.   

In summary, finding a chair that’s made from post-consumer content, toxin free materials and matches your price and style is the way-to-go.  If you can’t find a chair that suits your needs made from post-consumer content, find one that’s at least made with toxin-free materials. 

If you’re purchasing a new chair, consider donating your old one.  Every year in the U.S., 8.25 million office chairs are thrown away.  If you’re not ready to purchase a new one and your current chair contains PBDEs, cover and seal any rips in upholstery, and consider replacing old items where foam is exposed, loose, and crumbling.  

Which of these tall, black-leather chairs shown below are made from post-consumer content and offered at a lower price?  Read the caption to find out.  Both are supplied through EcoGreenOffice.  

 

The Ignition Series Executive High-Back Chair featured above is made from 54 percent post-consumer content and is offered for $509.99.  The Serenity Big & Tall High-Back Chair featured on the right is made from 0 percent post-consumer content and is offered for $693.59.

Sources:

1) “Insider’s Guide to Buying Green Office Furniture”

www.ofusa.com/images/booklets/insights_Green_single-pgs.pdf

2) http://pollutioninpeople.org/safer/products/furniture