Sustainability

Plain talk about the steps we take on sourcing, packaging, delivery and end-of-life — without the greenwash.

What we do today

Furniture has a long-term environmental footprint — far more than fashion or fast-moving consumer goods. The best thing we can do is sell pieces that last decades, not seasons. Here is what that looks like in practice.

Sourcing

• We give preference to suppliers who can show FSC or PEFC chain-of-custody on timber.
• We list end-of-life recyclability on the product page where the manufacturer publishes it.
• We do not knowingly stock rosewood (CITES Appendix II) or other restricted species.

Packaging

• We have removed expanded polystyrene from our own pack-and-collect orders, replacing it with corrugated card.
• Suppliers ship to us on returnable wooden pallets where possible.
• We take packaging back at the door for customers who would rather not deal with it.

Local recycling

• Cardboard, polyethylene wrap and pallets are recycled through Orkney's commercial waste programme.
• We work with Orkney Furniture Project to pass on usable pre-loved furniture rather than send it to landfill.

Delivery

• Our own van is fully loaded on every run — we coordinate jobs to avoid empty miles.
• For outer-isles, we consolidate orders onto a single ferry sailing rather than ship in dribs and drabs.

What we will not do

• Greenwash. If a product is not certified, we will say so.
• Subsidise unsustainable suppliers just because they are cheap.

What you can do

• Buy the right thing once. A piece that lasts 20 years has half the footprint of two that last 10.
• Use our take-back at the door rather than landfilling packaging.
• If your old furniture is still usable, ask us about local re-use schemes.

Last updated 2026-05-25 · J & M McEwen, Kirkwall