Designing A Greener Future: Celebrating Earth Day With Cult Design
Earth Day is a global event celebrated on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking care of our planet and the role each of us can play in creating a sustainable future. At Cult Design, we believe in the power of sustainable design to create a better future. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the products we offer and the practices we follow.
This Earth Day, we are excited to highlight some of our favourite products and brands that champion sustainability. From innovative materials to timeless designs, these selections showcase how creativity and responsibility can come together to make a positive impact on the environment.
Recycled Content - Giving New Life To Waste
Discover how innovative designs transform discarded materials into beautiful and functional furniture. These products not only reduce waste that would otherwise end up in landfills but also showcase the potential of recycled materials in designer pieces.
The Hay About A Collection features coloured shells made from post-consumer recycled plastic, sourced from household waste like TVs and washing machines. This material minimises waste and also gives new life to discarded items. The collection includes a variety of chairs and stools, each designed with a minimalist aesthetic that enhances any modern interior.
Crafted from 80% post-industrial polypropylene (100% recycled) and 20% fibreglass, the Hay Élémentaire Chair stands as a testament to sustainable design. Its durable construction guarantees longevity, making it an ideal addition to any eco-conscious home. The chair's simple yet elegant design renders it versatile for both indoor and outdoor use.
The Hay Revolt Chair combines 30% recycled and 70% virgin ABS, with the black version made from 100% recycled ABS. This material blend showcases the potential of recycled plastics in creating stylish and functional furniture. The Revolt Chair is recognised for its ergonomic design and comfort, making it a popular choice for both home and office settings.
The frame of the Hay Boa Table is made entirely from Hydro CIRCAL aluminium, a recycled material consisting of a minimum of 75% recycled post-consumer scrap. Using recycled aluminium instead of virgin materials is less energy-intensive, which lowers the overall carbon emissions of the Boa Table. Its sleek design and sturdy construction make it a standout piece in any dining or living area.
The N02 Recycle chair by Fritz Hansen is crafted from recycled household plastic waste. This chair exemplifies how everyday waste can be transformed into high-quality, sustainable furniture. The N02 Recycle chair comes in a variety of colours and is designed to be stackable, making it a practical and thoughtful choice for any space.
The nanimarquina Recycled PET Outdoor Collection, featuring designs like Silhouette, Shade, Tiles, and Tres, is made from post-consumer polyethylene waste, such as plastic bottles. This reduces landfill waste and carbon emissions often produced by burning plastic bottles in India. These outdoor rugs are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly, making them an excellent choice for sustainable living. The collection provides a variety of patterns and colours, ensuring there is a rug to suit every taste and outdoor space.
The Re-Rug collection by nanimarquina utilises wool waste generated during the manufacturing process, thereby minimising waste and carbon emissions while still maintaining the character and quality of a 100% wool rug. The results are stunning rugs that are both sustainable and stylish, demonstrating how traditional materials can be repurposed and regenerated. Each rug in the Re-Rug collection is unique, featuring intricate designs that add a touch of elegance to any room.
Materials Spotlight - Papercord by Carl Hansen & Søn
Carl Hansen & Sons uses papercord – a Danish paper-twisting technique - in several of their iconic products. This natural material is fully recyclable and adds a unique aesthetic and level of craftsmanship to their designs. Papercord is featured in:
The CH24 Wishbone Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner, boasts a woven papercord seat that is durable and comfortable. This chair is renowned for its distinctive Y-shaped back and elegant design, making it a timeless addition to any setting.
The CH25 Lounge Chair features a papercord seat and back paired with a wooden frame, resulting in a timeless piece that showcases the beauty and sustainability of natural materials. Renowned for its comfort and elegant design, this chair is a favoured option for both modern and traditional interiors.
The CH26 Dining Chair closely resembles its lounge counterpart, featuring organic shapes, a refined back, and a hand-woven seat. This chair is perfect for extended periods of sitting at a dining table or desk, blending comfort with a timeless design.
The CH36 Dining Chair is crafted with meticulous attention to detail in a simple and functional design. Inspired by American Shaker furniture principles, this chair features a hand-woven papercord seat and a curved backrest for optimal support.
Additionally, Carl Hansen & Søn has furthered their commitment to sustainability by utilising papercord offcuts from seat weaving to replace plastic strips in their packaging. This initiative not only reduces waste but also ensures their packaging is recyclable, biodegradable, and does not end up in landfill.
Materials Spotlight - Matek by Mater
Matek® is Mater's cutting-edge material developed through years of research and testing. This unique compound is created by combining fibre with a binder, allowing it to be formed using pre-existing industry technology like press moulding. Matek® blends various waste materials, such as coffee bean shells, wood waste, and post-consumer e-waste, with either plastic waste or biodegradable plastic derived from renewable resources like sugarcane. The result is a highly durable, water-repellent material that resembles timeless materials like stone, terrazzo, or marble.
Eternity Collection - The Eternity Collection features chairs and stools crafted from Matek® blends that include coffee and wood waste. This collection demonstrates how these materials can be repurposed into durable and visually appealing furniture. The designs are minimalist yet elegant, making them suitable for various interior styles.
Compound & Lily Collection - Designed by Copenhagen-based OEO Studio, the Compound and Lily collections utilise Matek® blends created from post-consumer e-waste combined with either wood waste or coffee shell waste. The Compound Dining Chair, for instance, contains 5380 grams of waste materials, demonstrating the significant impact of recycling in furniture design. The Lily Table Collection reflects the harmony between a plant’s slender stem and the leaf that gently floats on water, available in various Matek® blends and sizes.
Alder Collection - The Alder Collection, designed in collaboration with Patricia Urquiola, is crafted from biodegradable Matek®. This material is made from coffee and wood waste mixed with biodegradable plastic derived from sugarcane. The Alder Collection features lounge tables and stools available in various colours, such as Biodegradable Sand and Earth Grey, created from recycled coffee shells, along with Biodegradable Light Green and Terracotta, which utilise wood waste. The shapes of the furniture draw inspiration from the sinuous curves of trees and the delicate forms of leaves, reflecting a profound connection with nature.
Celebrating 70 Years of the Ocean Collection by Mater
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Ocean Collection, originally designed in 1955 by the renowned Danish designers Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel. Since 2019, Mater has reimagined this collection using recycled materials, blending heritage with innovation.
The Ocean Collection is a testament to how today's waste streams can be transformed into beautiful and durable furniture. The collection includes a range of outdoor furniture, such as chairs, tables, and loungers, all made from recycled ocean plastic and other sustainable materials. Mater's reimagining of the Ocean Collection not only honours the original design but also demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
B-Corp Companies - Leading The Way In Sustainability
Meet the B-Corp-certified companies that are setting the standard for sustainable practices. These brands are dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment through their products and initiatives.
&Tradition
&Tradition became a certified B Corporation in October 2024. They are passionate about crafting timeless, reliable pieces and caring for them as they age. Their designs blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation to create beautiful furniture. As an aspiring B Corp, &Tradition underwent an extensive assessment, answering a series of questions designed to collect data about the company’s key points of impact and initiatives.
Over the past four years, they have worked on disclosing their impact through a detailed questionnaire. This process involved mapping out initiatives that reflect their treatment of employees, their relationships with the community they work and create in, as well as their partners and customers, and the impact of their supply chain on the natural environment.
For &Tradition, becoming a B Corp represents another step towards increasing transparency with their community and holding themselves to a higher standard. They continue to pursue their Impact Goals by incorporating circularity into their designs and material selection, seeking third-party certifications, enhancing dialogue with their suppliers, and reducing their carbon footprint.
Anglepoise
Anglepoise, a certified B Corporation since January 2024, is dedicated to responsible sourcing, minimising environmental impact, and fostering a positive workplace culture. From the iconic Original 1227 to their contemporary collections, every Anglepoise lamp is designed for longevity, reducing waste and promoting conscious consumption. Beyond aesthetics, these functional companions brighten your life day after day. Their commitment to sustainability includes initiatives such as lowering their carbon footprint and supporting environmental charities.
Anglepoise strives to push boundaries further, setting higher standards for themselves and inspiring others to join them on this journey. Perfection isn’t their goal; progress is. They recognise there’s always room for improvement, and their pursuit of a more sustainable future is driven by continuous learning and evolution. This ambition aligns with B Corp values, reminding us that collective action toward positive change is essential.
Fredericia
Fredericia is committed to creating furniture that merges timeless design with sustainable practices. As a B-Corp certified company, they prioritise the well-being of people and the planet in every aspect of their business. Fredericia's dedication to the environment is evident in their use of responsibly sourced materials, such as FSC-certified wood. Their furniture is meant to be passed down from generation to generation, with core values rooted in responsibility, the use of natural materials, and ethical production methods.
As a B Corp, Fredericia is genuinely focused on creating tangible environmental and social benefits. Their holistic approach to sustainability integrates B Lab’s key parameters into their framework, offering transparency for partners and customers. They excel in various areas, including conscious consumption, workplace diversity, extended warranty schemes, and active community engagement.
Fredericia takes pride in enabling sustainable choices for customers and continues their legacy of purposeful and lasting design. The B Corp certification is a crucial step in their ongoing mission to enhance their performance, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Cultivated: Cult Design's Commitment To Sustainability
Cultivated is Cult Design's in-house sustainability program that offers buy-back, refurbishment, and recycling services for authentic designer furniture. This initiative ensures that high-quality furniture is given a second life, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. Cultivated provides a variety of services, including furniture restoration, reupholstering, and material recycling. By supporting Cultivated, customers can make eco-friendly choices and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Quality and longevity are our ethos here at Cult Design, and we’re proud to promote and support sustainable, innovative designs that contribute to the planet. This Earth Day, we invite you to explore these pieces and brands that exemplify how sustainability and good design go hand in hand.
