Leading UK leather, wood and fabric restoration product manufacturer, Furniture Clinic, has reduced its use of virgin plastic by 80% as part of its eco-drive to minimise its plastic packaging footprint. From today, the County Durham based business will switch plastic bottles across its own patented range of 100 specialist products to 100% recycled plastic (rPET), saving an estimated 30,000kg of virgin plastic from landfill each year. Furthermore, the introduction of cardboard packaging and paper packing, instead of plastic, will solidify its sustainability drive.
Furniture Clinic, which operates from its 50,000 sq ft factory in Consett, County Durham with offices in New York and Hong Kong, employs 60 staff in the UK and shifts over 1,000,000 products annually to customers and distribution partners in over 40 countries worldwide. Accoladed as one of the top ten fastest growing companies in the North East of England in the prestigious Fastest 501, Furniture Clinic is also recognised as one of America’s fastest growing companies (Inc. 5000).
With a mission to extend the lifespan of any leather, fabric or wood item – from luxury home and garden furniture, to car interiors and equestrian equipment – conscious consumption is at the heart of the business model. An early pioneer of sustainability with founding roots dating back to 2004, Furniture Clinic secured an ISO 9001 accreditation2 in March 2021, recognising its progress in reducing waste and increasing efficiency. The company is now focussed on developing its Environmental Management plan to become ISO 14001 certified within the next year.
As part of its on-going sustainability drive to become cleaner, greener and more energy efficient, Furniture Clinic, has implemented several additional new systems to maximise its energy efficiency and further reduce its ecological footprint. Since moving to its new premises In January this year, the building has been thoroughly insulated and all boilers upgraded to reduce heat loss. In-room thermostats have also been installed throughout to reduce unnecessary carbon use.
Culturally, all employees are encouraged to help reduce carbon emissions; post pandemic, all office staff are able to work from home on a hybrid basis, cutting out unnecessary travel for meetings in favour of Zoom – there are also dedicated car pool spaces in the car park to encourage ride-sharing. Charging points will soon be installed to promote electric vehicle usage and company car renewals will all soon be electric.
Beyond product packaging which has been overhauled to ensure it’s 100% recyclable, Furniture Clinic constantly review and assess a product’s lifespan and impact on the environment, reworking the formula if necessary to ensure it is eco-friendly. Passionate about reducing waste, the company recycles wherever possible and operates a near paperless environment.
Furniture Clinic’s Managing Director, Ben Staerck, said: “As a restoration business, sustainability is deeply embedded in our DNA and we constantly strive to deliver the highest quality yet eco-friendly solutions for our customers and partners. Today’s news is an important milestone in our circularity quest and we’re proud to be doing what’s right to help preserve our planet for generations to come.”
From humble beginnings when founder Keith Staerck ran a small furniture upcycling business and produced and sold wood restoration products at trade exhibitions, Furniture Clinic grew exponentially when son, Ben, boarded to develop its digital presence in 2004. Today, Furniture Clinic has firmly cemented its reputation as the leading manufacturer of leather, wood and fabric cleaning and restoration products and services in the UK.
All products are created in-house using the most advanced and innovative techniques with input from expert leather restorers, upholsterers and French polishers who work alongside Furniture Clinic’s in-house and development experts to create the highest quality and most extensive range. The product range not only comprises cleaning and care products but also a full range of dyes, paints, fillers and glues. From DIY users and hobbyist renovators to professionals, the range is accessible and easy to use. Loyal B2B customers include Harrods, Rolls Royce, John Lewis, DFS, Four Seasons Hotels and the Royal Air Force.
