I try to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. There are lots of “green” things I do regularly, such as recycling anything I can, growing my own vegetables and using my bike instead of the car for many journeys. However, when it comes to things I do only occasionally, such as buying new stuff for my house, I’ve found it’s often hard to know where to look for eco friendly products. I’ve recently done some research into eco friendly furniture manufacturers, in particular companies that make bar stools, so I thought I’d spread the word and share my findings here.

Of course, there are multiple issues to consider when buying eco furniture. One of the top priorities is indoor air quality, as it’s important to create a healthy environment inside your home. When shopping, find out if a product has a non-toxic, zero-VOC finish so as to avoid off-gassing in your home. Another big issue is sustainability. Find out what materials a product is made from. Recycled materials are an obvious green choice, but so are new materials if they come from a sustainable source, such as FSC certified wood. The lifespan of a product is also an important consideration. It’s a huge waste of resources to throw out an item of furniture because it’s worn out after just a few years. Try to buy quality products that will stand the test of time, or products that could at least be recycled at the end of their useful life. Also check out whether the manufacturer has a social and environmental responsibility policy.

With regards to eco bar stools, I’ve found a handful of companies with green credentials. Emeco is perhaps the most well-known of the brands and specialises in designer furniture made from recycled aluminum. Yes, their stunning-looking designer bar stools are actually made from old soft drink cans and scrap metal! Emeco’s bar stools are extremely hard-wearing and are suitable for both residential and commercial use, indoors and out. Emeco is so confident in the quality of its designs the bar stools have a lifetime guarantee and are estimated to last over 150 years! These stools are ideally suited to modern living, being both practical and stylish.

There are another couple of companies worth mentioning. Knoll has a range of Greenguard certified bar stools. This shows they are classified as being low-emitting products for healthier indoor air. All Knoll bar stools are made from recyclable materials such as aluminum or beech. Knoll has a clear sustainability statement and is committed to green practices. The Italian company Calligaris is another manufacturer with strong green ethics. All the materials used in their stools are from sustainable sources, including the FSC certified wood.

It’s encouraging to see that these leading furniture manufacturers are taking steps in the right direction to minimise the environmental impact of their products. So, next time you’re looking for new furniture for your home, remember green furniture is out there if you look!

Caroline Smith takes a keen interest in environmental issues and loves finding new green products for her home. She runs GetBarStools.com and has written articles on green issues for a number of blogs.