EQ3 expands sustainability model with a new online resale program

If you’re ever purchased new home decor or furniture (#adulting), you've noticed that it's often wrapped in packaging to keep the items protected and pristine while in transit—but often this comes at a cost to the environment, especially when it includes materials such as excess plastic or Styrofoam.

Canadian designer, manufacturer and retailer of furniture and home goods, EQ3 has been long committed to sustainability in the home decor and furniture industry. The company recently announced a new commitment to becoming a circular company, with a partnership that will work to keep its designs in circulation and out of the landfill.

Starting in June in the US, the company will be launching EQ3 ReHome, a new online resale program in partnership with circular commerce platform FloorFound. FloorFound will pick up oversized e-commerce returns from customers and offer them for resale on FloorFound’s site, their partner network and the EQ3 US website. This circular model mirrors EQ3’s current practice of resale in Canada, and the partnership with FloorFound also serves to reduce shipping and handling carbon emissions with its return processing centres found across the country.EQ3EQ3“Over 33 percent of the country’s landfills are furniture, and recent statistics show that if we were to represent the weight in three-seater sofas, we could line them from San Diego to Augusta, Maine, round-trip 13 times,” stated FloorFound founder and CEO, Chris Richter in a news release. “Partnerships like ours with EQ3 make it easier for customers to prioritize sustainability and contribute to the circular economyand our estimation is that this collective effort on the part of brands and their customers will have a massive impact. By 2023, FloorFound aims to reduce 846 metric tons of carbon emissions by utilizing our local hub networkthe general equivalent of planting a forest of 40,000 trees.”

In addition to its commitment to becoming a circular company with support from FloorFound, EQ3 is also introducing more environmentally-friendly packaging, aiming to eliminate the use of Styrofoam from all its packaging by 2023.

“Sustainability has always been central to our work at EQ3," said EQ3 President Mark Letain. "Our commitment to the principles of Canadian designobjects that embody Canadian values of inclusivity, pragmatism, modesty, empathy and thoughtfulnesshas always foregrounded concerns of keeping our practices environmentally-friendly and our products designed to outlive trends and remain in people’s homes for the long term.”patioEQ3EQ3’s additional sustainability practices include the following:

  • Local manufacturing: EQ3’s corporate headquarters, R&D and manufacturing facility all operate under the same roof in Winnipeg, Canada. By keeping as much production close to home as possible, EQ3 reduces its carbon footprint, contributing fewer emissions related to travel.
  • Made-to-order model: EQ3’s upholstery products are made-to-order, reducing waste in material use and overstock.
  • Sustainable finishes and stains: EQ3 has created its own environmentally sensitive water-based finish at their manufacturing plant in Indonesia, helping to reduce harsh chemicals and VOCs put out into the world during the production process.
  • Ethical sourcing: EQ3 works closely with suppliers to ensure continuity in vision and passion for innovative environmental and equitable solutions. For example, EQ3 leathers are a byproduct of the dairy/meat industry and they use recycled fabrics, made from the remnants of the garment industry. Similarly, the wood from their teak collection is salvaged from the Java region of Indonesia, using the discarded remnants left after deforestation and forest fires.
  • Technician program: EQ3 also works with individual customers to extend the lifespan of their large furnituretheir technician program is available to reupholster EQ3 frames to give older pieces a new life.

Check out additional Environment 911 articles to learn about the commitments other companies have made to be more sustainable, such as Indigo, Aldo, and Fresh Prep.