Sustainability
Explore our eco-friendly goals and journey. From our innovative partners and brands to our everyday efforts to offset carbon. Allow us to explain the delicate balance of designing, manufacturing and retailing modern original designs from authentic, designer brands. Olson and Baker; sellers of furniture, lighting, storage, sofas & chairs built sustainably and most importantly, to last.
Olson and Baker’s Sustainability Goals
We Plant Trees – Olson and Baker x THG More : Trees
Olson and Baker Upholstery
Olson and Baker Cased Goods
Recycled Packaging
Our Brands Sustainability & Certification Directory
Olson and Baker’s Sustainability Goals
Olson and Baker has always been sustainability conscious. We have an duty to recognise, manage and minimise any negative environmental impacts arising from our activities. With developments in technology and industry practices we have a wider scope than ever to achieve this. Although, the “high end” market, such as it is, has always been drawn to more sustainable design opportunities given that materials and labour have a greater budget than that of typical high street markets. In our experience, Sustainability and authenticity have typically always gone hand-in-hand. The original designers and makers of such pieces as the famed CH24 Wishbone Chair or the Egg Chair for example take great care in ensuring the designer’s original ethos and manufacturing practices remain thorough and unaltered (unless improved upon). For example the Wishbone Chair is only made from FSC™ certified woods.
When selecting partners we ensure that there is a concerted effort made by the manufacturer or ‘brand’ to work towards the United Nation’s Global Goals. Wherein World leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals (officially known as the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs). The Global Goals were created in 2015. At Olson and Baker we strongly believe that these goals hold the key to creating a better world by 2030, “by ending poverty, fighting inequality and addressing the urgency of climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build a better future for everyone.” – The Global Goals
We Plant Trees – Olson and Baker x THG More : Trees
More : Trees and Olson and Baker have teamed up to offset our carbon footprint. The goal being to aid in impactful climate action to secure the future of our planet now and for generations to come.
With every Olson and Baker order we plant a tree, no-nonsense, progressive action. One tree sequesters an estimated 0.3t of CO2 over its growth life. Take a deeper look into your carbon footprint using the More : Trees Carbon Footprint Calculator. Or, a simpler way to put that into perspective Vans registered in the EU, Iceland, Norway and the UK in 2019 emitted on average 158.4 g CO2/km. Meaning Olson and Baker customers can be safe in the knowledge that they are making a positive change to the industry when shopping with us. Every customer more than offsets the impact made in the manufacture and transportation of their furniture. But that’s far from its only benefit…
- Trees clean the air, filter
water, regulate rainfall, improve soil quality, offer shelter and reduce flooding.
- Not only this, but trees provide work, improve crop yield, generate income sources and help the local economy in reducing extreme poverty in countries like Madagascar, Kenya and Haiti.
- Furthermore, new trees help to support biodiversity, they give different species of animals, invertebrates, plants, fungi, lichens and mosses a new home.
- Also, trees help healthy forests re-emerge, restoring animal habitats, purifying water sources, replenishing soil, controlling flooding and improving weather patterns.
Olson and Baker Upholstery
To minimise our carbon footprint and support the local economy we try to source all timber from local suppliers. All the hardwood timber which goes into our frames is sourced from a local mill in Derbyshire. This not only allows us to carefully check the quality of the timber, but it also allows us to cut and build the frames ourselves using simple hand tools and time honoured techniques. Our upholstery is built to last in the traditional way by master craftsmen. We guarantee our frames for 15 years against general wear and tear. Our suppliers FSC certification is available to view or download here.
We board and finish our upholstery frames with plywood, we do not use any cheap chipboard or webbing. As a result our pieces are even more long lasting. We believe in doing things properly and never cutting corners – this is to ensure your furniture will last a lifetime. The FSC certification for our plywood is available to view or download here.
Our “Wool Blend” fabric collection offers a softer finish and higher rub test than traditional 100% wool options available elsewhere. Typically referred to as a “Cardato Recycled” fabric, it is made with at least 65% recycled old clothing (knitwear and offcuts from the fashion/garment industry). This is made in Prato, Italy where the environmental impact of its entire production are carefully considered; measuring three aspects: water, energy and CO2 consumption levels.
Olson and Baker Cased Goods
Our cabinetry range (non-upholstery) is made with sustainably sourced European wood and veneer. Particle panels are manufactured with CARB2 certified materials only. Meaning they will never emit any volatile compounds that would pose a danger to you or your loved ones. CARB2 is a certification procedure instituted by the California Air Resources Board to reduce formaldehyde emissions; protecting the public from airborne toxic contaminants. Not only this, but our workshop are always looking for ways to reduce waste and re-use offcuts that are of sound quality.
All of our cabinetry range (non-upholstery) uses Blum Hardware. This further protects our pieces, ensuring they last for decades. Blum are world famous for their robust and durably mechanisms and fixings. Furthermore, Blum have been committed to environmental protection for a very, very long time. Their measures to make the business as gentle on the environment as possible have exceeded legal requirements for dozens of years. Like Olson and Baker, for them, sustainability means taking responsibility. Lastly, Blum’s certificates are available here to browse.
Recycled Packaging
We have a lot of incoming and out going deliveries. As a result, we often have an abundance of boxes and protective wrapping. Where possible we recycle outer packing and wraps, in an attempt to remain as environmentally friendly as possible. Please do not be alarmed if you receive your goods in a recycled box, as within it there will always be your original, authentic piece, complete with its full packaging!
Our Brands Sustainability & Certification Directory
For a comprehensive overview of our brand partner’s views, certifications and best practices with Sustainability in mind please navigate the extensive directory below: