I have a query based on the 'green' benefits of buying used funiture. I am a huge fan of mid century design and sell from a UK base; often overseas, or if not then certainly many miles from my storage with little being sold locally. Does this present a moral problem with the accelerated global warming that we are experiencing, or does the sale of previously manufactured goods offset this in some way? I would be interested in your opinions as I am currently considering stoping sales to overseas customers. I realise that this deviates from the general design based questions that dominate the forum (rightly so as it is 'design addict') but feel that it has a legitimate place in all our considerations.
In the end
The benefits of re-using goods (e.g. furniture, clothing, housewares, etc.) surely outweigh the costs. The majority of newly manufactured goods are produced in China and are being shipped all over the world as well. And certainly, there are other environmental impacts due to mass consumerism of new goods in addition to just that of shipping (e.g. deforestation, loss of habitats, waste due to production, consumer waste, etc.).
All valid points, though I...
All valid points, though I currently am torn between trading locally (invariably for a lower price) or nationally/globally (for a higher price though this will invariably cause higher transport/emissions/fuel usage). After all: 'A chair,is a chair, is a chair', and while there are of course aesthetic variations it seems somewhat tragic to embibe a non-scentient object with such importance and aura that it is 'worth' shipping half way around the work simply to admire/own it regardless of the environmental impact.
Look at it this way
You are providing a service for people who want what you have to sell.
In an ideal world, we could all have easy access to quality built, aesthetically pleasing, locally made (or sourced, if pre-owned), sustainable goods.
At least what you're doing is a step in the right direction. Your intentions are honorable but perhaps not the most pragmatic. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what's best.
On the other hand, shipping internationally can be quite a hassle. 🙂
do not concern yourself
Cft,
Unless the contracts you enter into have a moral or ethics clause there is no need to concern yourself with anything other than the legality of your sales.
You may attempt to make yourself feel better by donating a portion (an unstated amount with a dollar cap) to a "Save the Earth" group.
Yes you can...
- There are more and more carriers with a climat neutral CO2 emissions freight service. They will offset their CO2 emissions.
- You can choose and use eco friendly packing materials.
- You can raise any sales with a small percentage and donate that to charity.
- You can add a flyer to every package that explains how you feel about the environment and your ways to minimize the CO2 emissions.
- ...
They are all really...
They are all really interesting points. I use directly recycled packaging (bubble wrap, cardboard etc. that hasn't been sent half way around the world to be turned back into bubble wrap but rather the original product!) will certainly be looking for a better transport provider though when a van uses fosile fuel it's difficult to off set this and the uptake of electric vehicles is poor in the UK to say the least. I do donate to multiple charities including environmental ones though I could certainly increase the amounts in question in line with profits. Thank you for the imput, I really do appreciate your thoughts on this.
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