The Insider's Guide to Choosing Sustainable Fabric for Your Office Design Projects

Furnishing your home with sustainable fabrics is an easy way to make it more eco-friendly. In the UK, millions of tonnes of furniture are sent to landfill every year, some of which contain synthetic fabrics that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

At The Office Crowd our number one goal is to change the way we all think of office furniture. We put a lot of care into choosing our partners for new furniture, as well as the fabric manufactures we partner with to refurbish products for our website.

We would love to share with you two of our favorite textile manufacturers – Camira and Crevin – who offer some great eco-friendly options for your home.

Camira is a UK based company that has been producing sustainable fabrics since the 1970s. Their fabrics are made using wool, which is a 100% natural and renewable resource, as well as recycled yarns from post-consumer sources such as used clothing and carpets. We have found their fabrics to be perfect for refurbishing task chairs or even soft seating around the house.

Camira has taken several steps to reduce their carbon footprint. One major step was setting up an on-site electricity generating plant powered by renewable energy sources. They have also invested in energy-efficient equipment and have made changes to improve the efficiency of their manufacturing processes. As a result of these efforts, the company has been able to reduce their carbon footprint by 19%. Camira is also a member of the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, which provides support for sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.

Manufacturing fabrics actually makes a surprising amount of waste... Another way Camira has shown its commitment to sustainability is by repurposing waste. The company has found ways to convert textile waste into new fibers that can be used to create new materials. This has not only helped the company reduce the amount of waste it generates but has also opened up new opportunities for product development.

Camira has been at the forefront of sustainable fabric development for years. Their fabrics are made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials such as wool, hemp, and nettle fibers. The company has also developed a fabric called Oceanic, which is made from recycled plastic bottles collected from the ocean.

Speaking of one of our most visible natural resources in our home base of Scotland... Let's give a good shout-out to the sustainability of wool! The tried and true fabric is another great option for your home or office.

Wool is a natural fibre that is renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. The Scottish wool industry has kept alive the traditional techniques of spinning and weaving by hand, as well as using low-impact dyes to create high quality fabrics. Wool fabric can be used for upholstery, curtains, throws and other home furnishings. Camira takes full advantage of the abundance of this natural product in the UK.

The second manufacturer we love to promote is Crevin. A French manufacturer that focuses on sustainable home textiles. Their fabrics are made from recycled or natural materials such as wool, linen, hemp and organic cotton. They do an amazing job with textures and colors and are one of our favorites for sprucing up worn furniture.

Crevin also use plant-based dyes, which are free from harmful chemicals and help reduce their environmental footprint. Crevin's fabrics are available in a range of colours and patterns, suitable for upholstery, curtains, bedding and other home textiles. Plus, we have noticed you do not get that "new fabric smell" of oftentimes harmful VOCs.

Crevin is dedicated to reducing their environmental impact through several strategies. As a leading textile manufacturer, they are conscious of the amount of water and energy used in their production. To reduce energy usage, they have invested in a state-of-the-art photovoltaic installation that produces electricity to power their factories. Crevin also implements a wastewater treatment system to minimize water usage and reduce negative impacts on the surrounding environment.

Crevin's commitment to sustainability does not end there. They have developed a closed-loop production system which means any leftover materials are repurposed or recycled. This process starts from the moment the raw material is received, ensuring that any excess materials are repurposed into other products such as insulation material. This not only reduces waste but also reduces the amount of new raw materials needed for manufacturing.

We choose these eco-friendly fabric manufactures to make sure we are partnering with companies that share our commitment to protecting the environment.
By choosing sustainable fabrics and furniture, you can also make your home or office more eco-friendly without compromising on style.
With the help of brands like Camira and Crevin, as well as natural wool fabric from the Scottish wool industry, you can find a range of materials and products that are good for the planet and look and feel great too!