An inexpensive bookshelf or side table might seem like a great deal, but how long will it last? And if it breaks, can it even be fixed? It may seem tempting to buy a low-cost piece of furniture, thinking you’ll get rid of it and replace it with something else when it falls apart or you no longer have the need. Or if you decide to change the style or decor of your home. What’s the harm, right? Well, the truth is, furniture waste fills up landfills and does cause harm to the environment.

Furniture Waste & the Rise of Fast Furniture

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 9 million tons of furniture and furnishings have been thrown away each year in recent years. That’s enough to fill 45,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. And our embrace of “fast furniture” – meaning inexpensive furniture made from cheap materials that’s only intended to last a few years – is only making that issue worse.

Most fast furniture waste ends up in the landfill since it’s rarely worth the time or money it would take to repair it. And that introduces a new problem: Since fast furniture is typically made from lower-quality materials, including particle board and plastics, they don’t break down or decompose the way wood furniture does. Instead, they remain in the landfills, taking up space and, if materials do decompose, releasing methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.

Better Choices for the Environment

Buying furniture that’s made with higher-quality, sustainable materials and repairing it when needed to extend its lifespan is a better option, but that’s not always economically feasible. And buying new also has an environmental impact, from the new raw materials needed to the energy and water used in the manufacturing process to the chemical pollution and carbon emissions produced.

To make a decision that’s wise both for your wallet and the environment, buy second-hand items. And ReStore should be your first stop. Shopping at ReStore not only keeps items out of landfills and reduces furniture waste.

The Right Choice for Your Community

When you shop at ReStore, you strengthen the local economy and contribute to Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program, which creates affordable homes in Summit and Wasatch Counties. Proceeds from your purchases at Park City ReStore directly fund Habitat’s local home-building initiatives.

And furniture isn’t the only thing you can find when you go treasure-hunting at ReStore. The store also receives high-quality, new clothing, home decor, paint supplies, building materials and more, donated by individuals and corporations in the area.

Support ReStore

Shopping at Park City ReStore is only one way to support Habitat – and score yourself a great deal on your new favorite piece of furniture. When you’re decluttering your home, donate good-quality items you no longer need to give them new life in another home. 

We have a long list of donation items we accept, which, in addition to furniture, includes everything from artwork and light fixtures to electronics and tools. And when you’re in the store, join our ReStore Rewards program! As a member, you’ll receive exclusive coupons, discounts and invites to special events. Just ask a cashier, and they’ll get you signed up.