Subscribing to Sustainable Furniture

It is indisputable that landfill is an issue that stems from the globally adopted mantra of buy, dispose, and replace. For the sake of our planet there needs to be a shift in buyer culture towards sustainability. Emerging subscription based businesses provide one solution to this problem that could be a way to accommodate the desire for a regular refresh without the consequence of another piece of junk ending up in landfill. 

Furniture is one industry that has a large role to play in our ever growing landfill issues. It is alarming to know that in the US alone it is estimated that 8.5 million tons of office assets are disposed of annually (United States EPA). If you pay attention to the standard workplace, you’ll most likely see evidence of this with an office that houses copious amounts of desks, chairs and tables. 

Knotel is a company that specialises in creating tailored workspaces and has identified the need for a sustainable solution to office furniture. Knotel have recently released a line of furniture titled Geometry. The standout idea behind Geometry is it’s subscription based service that essentially allows businesses to fit out an office for a monthly fee. This fee includes the costs of maintenance and removal with flat rate for installation and the option to replace the furniture. Geometry caters to business owners and companies looking to fit out a fast-changing workplace using a solution that adapts to the needs of a workplace. The company strives to create “sustainable architectural objects that could withstand a change of hands over multiple years”. Combining quality furniture with a design that is still flexible, it is anything but a ‘one size fits all’ product. The furniture range includes desks, phone booths and temporary offices that are customisable and personalisable with the options to change colour, finish and configurations. The modular designs make Geometry more than basic furniture rental by providing a complete fit-out solution. 

This isn’t the only industry where subscription models have a lot of potential for success and expansion. An existing example is the fashion industry, which has seen the emergence of options to rent designer clothing, and looking at what we throw away there are a host of other industries that could benefit from more re-use and less waste. 

A consumer shift towards rental and subscription models could not only benefit the planet but everyone involved. Buyers are able to have access to a greater variety of goods at a lower upfront, and likely overall cost that requires less commitment. Businesses also reap monetary gains through ongoing profits from return customers and of course the environment benefits from the promotion of re-use and the lowered waste output. It seemed essential in product design, that the implementation and application can be as important as the stand-alone product. 

As product designers we are huge advocates for a sustainable design philosophy that endorses a long lasting good quality design rather than cycling through quick, cheap and lower quality products that don’t serve the user or the planet. Knotel has shown how they can take a good product and elevate it with thoughtful and purposeful implementation. As industrial designers we see implementation and marketing as an essential consideration in the design process in our own practice. Our services can range from design synthesis all the way to the final stages of manufacturing and marketing. Get in touch with us on 03 9930 8880 or email us at: hello@honepd.com to discuss how we can work with you on your product ideas.