I have to admit that I’m not an expert on carbon footprints or their impact on the environment. However, I do my best to contribute positively by using recycled packing materials whenever possible, though it often feels insufficient. I hesitate to write a blog post arguing that vintage and antique furniture is more environmentally friendly than modern furniture. That said, it seems evident that antique and vintage pieces are indeed better for the environment than new ones. Here’s an excerpt from an article at https://www.olympia-art-antiques.com discussing this topic.
A study by Carbon Clear found that antique furniture is likely to have a carbon footprint 16 times lower than modern furniture. The survey compared an antique chest of drawers with a newly made version. There were multiple benefits. Antique pieces are not thrown away thereby reducing landfill, they also reduce the consumption of new goods from outside the UK so produce less freight and are better for the UK economy. No trees are being cut down and the furniture would have originally been made in natural daylight with hand tools.
Another poll conducted by the Auction Technology Group in 2019 founds that 45% of respondents were completely unaware that buying a new piece of furniture produces a higher carbon footprint than buying second-hand. The findings came despite the fact that 82% of the people surveyed said they do consider sustainability in some way when making a purchase.
In the UK, consumers throw away an estimated 1.6m tonnes of bulky waste and furniture each year. Estimates put international shipping at 3-4% of carbon emissions caused by humans. The European Parliament states that in 30 years, by 2050, it could rise to as much as 17%.
The lifespan of a new chest of drawers is approximately 15 years and usually isn't re-saleable. In comparison the antiques version is well made with solid wood that is restorable. If looked after it could last forever. The average sofa only lasts between 7 to 8 years, the cost of frequent replacement adds up. Properly made sofas can be re-upholstered many, many times.
For the full article click here https://www.olympia-art-antiques.com/winter-art--antiques-fair-blog/why-antique-furniture-is-sustainable#:~:text=A%20study%20by%20Carbon%20Clear,with%20a%20newly%20made%20version.