From Trash to Treasure

One day, I found myself lost in a deep dive on YouTube, watching videos on how to restore old furniture. As someone who has always loved anything related to home decor, I thought to myself, "How hard can it be?" So, I drove to the nearest thrift store and spent $20 on what my mum described as "the dingiest dresser there." I quickly realized that restoring furniture is much harder and more time-consuming than it appears in videos, but I loved the process. The completion of my first project left me eager for more. Soon enough, I became hooked on browsing Facebook Marketplace and scouring thrift stores for hidden gems. It was incredibly rewarding to breathe new life into an old piece of furniture that otherwise would have been considered trash.

In a society where mass production and consumerism run rampant, we have lost sight of the value that pre-loved pieces hold and have resorted to purchasing brand new products without a second thought (Berg, 2021). The reality is, Canada and the United States alone send about 10 million tons of furniture waste to landfills each year ((Beaumont, 2021). This statement provides a glimpse into the excessive amount of waste generation and insufficient waste management efforts contributing to the ongoing environmental crisis (Berg, 2021). With this understanding, it is evident that we need to embrace new approaches and a fresh outlook, emphasizing the critical significance of the circular economy model.

The circular economy model aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, through processes like repairing, refurbishing, and reusing (Charter, 2018). It states that waste can be minimized by simply rethinking how products are produced, consumed, and disposed of (Charter, 2018). The main goal of a circular economy is to create a closed-loop system, where products and resources are used and reused in a continuous cycle. Rather than the current linear thinking of using once, and then being discarded as waste. By embracing this circular mindset, people can reduce their ecological footprint and support a more sustainable future (Charter, 2018).

The restoration of furniture can effectively demonstrate the circular economy in a small business setting. Rather than ending up in the landfill, unwanted furniture items are purchased, thereby diverting waste from the landfills. The furniture is then refinished or repainted, giving it a new lease of life and making it ready for sale to another customer. As the cycle of reusing furniture continues, the demand for new products and resources decreases, resulting in a lower impact on the environment, including reduced deforestation, energy use, and other harmful consequences of resource extraction (Usborne, 2020). To make the process even more sustainable, businesses can consider using environmentally friendly materials during the refinishing process and sourcing from non-profit organizations that have philanthropic goals. Ultimately, the continuous loop of this system, as illustrated in the diagram, demonstrates the circular economy's ability to support sustainable business practices and reduce our ecological footprint (Charter, 2018).

In addition to the environmental benefits, restoring furniture also brings about social and economic advantages. Restoring old pieces is a way to preserve history and heritage. From personal experience, I’ve gotten to hear the stories behind these pieces and how they have been passed down through generations. By restoring them, we are not only preserving these stories, but creating the opportunity for new memories to be made. In my view, there's simply no comparison when it comes to the quality of old furniture. These pieces are made with sturdy materials that have proven the test of time, and they often come at a similar price point to mass-produced items (Usborne, 2020). This makes them a cost-effective and sustainable option that adds unique character and charm to any space. Opting to purchase restored furniture also contributes to the growth of local businesses and aids in building a sustainable and vibrant economy (Lewis, 2021). These reasons emphasize why switching to more sustainable furniture shopping habits is worth the effort.

Fast forward to now, my furniture restoration journey has evolved into both a full-fledged hobby and a small side business. I’ve continued to explore ways to turn my passion for restoration and sustainability into a small business venture. I have been able to engage with other enthusiasts in the furniture flipping community and by sharing knowledge I have been able to learn new tips and tricks. I am thrilled to have received my first commissioned furniture set for a family, which has been an exciting milestone for me. 

Throughout this experience, I have been able to learn and educate people about the benefits of upcycling furniture, and the application of circular economy principles to help promote sustainability and an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

~ esme ellison, env2301 student

Works Cited

Beaumont, R. (2021, March 30). F-waste: Lost opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.canadianinteriors.com/2021/03/30/f-waste-lost-opportunities

Berg, B. (2021, April 12). The Fast Furniture Problem. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/sustainability-fast-furniture

Charter, M. (Ed.). (2018). Designing for the Circular Economy (1st ed.). Routledge. Retrieved from https://doi-org.proxy.bib.uottawa.ca/10.4324/9781315113067

Lewis, K. (2021, December 3). How supporting local businesses makes a huge economic and environmental impact. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://zerowasteoutlet.com/blogs/zero-waste-dad-blog/how-supporting-local-businesses-makes-a-huge-economic-and-environmental-impact

Usborne, S. (2020, May 19). Silly Billy: What the IKEA bookcase tells us about the true cost of fast furniture. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/19/silly-billy-what-the-ikea-bookcase-tells-us-about-the-true-cost-of-fast-furniture