Wood is expensive and plastic and acrylics are not eco-friendly for use in furniture. There are many more eco-friendly solutions for furniture whether bamboo or cardboard. In fact, cardboard often goes as a waste product, though it is extremely useful. Many designers have explored the use of cardboard to make furniture, among them Reinhard Dienes.

This cool looking and funky bookshelf and sideboard are made of cardboard. So they are lightweight and yet durable. The cuboid looking storage solutions are available in many colors and are particularly suited to a youngster’s room or to add some interest in the living room. The sideboard is called Georgia and the bookshelf is named Dickens.

Georgia has two large shelves and one smaller shelf where you can stack books and/or games, newspapers or other stationery items. The top part of the sideboard can also be used as a single, large shelf. Dickens has several compartments for vertical and horizontal storage. Both items are available in a range of colors. These items are eco-friendly and sold by the site which is a member of The Sustainable Furnishings Council, so that the carbon footprint of items sold is as little as possible.

Homes tend to fill up with clutter, one way or the other. If you want to reduce the clutter in your home, you should use storage containers which can be kept in cupboards or even in the open, because they look good. And as bamboo comes from an easily renewable source, it is eco-friendly in the extreme.

Bamboo storage boxes come in different sizes and they can be stacked, using even less space. As they come in a natural color with the faux leather top with a Velcro closing system, they blend in with most interiors.

The storage boxes are a great way to store clothes or other wearables which you don’t need out. In winter, you can stash some summer stuff and in summer you can use them to keep your winter stuff away. You can even use them if you want to gift multiple items to anybody. Plastic boxes often look tacky and are also not eco-friendly.

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If you open your fridge or freezer, you will no doubt find plenty of plastic storage boxes and other containers in both. These ubiquitous containers last a life-time and seem to be very user friendly because they can go straight into the microwave for heating or defrosting. They are usually also dishwasher safe. Beware – these containers are dangerous to health.

When they come into contact with foods which are acidic (say containing tomatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, yoghurt or any other acidic substance), they leach out dangerous substances, including Bisphenol A and phthalates, into the foods. The same thing happens when they are micro waved. These chemicals can be carcinogenic as well as being hormone disruptors and are seriously dangerous to health.

Plastics may be convenient because they are lightweight and air-tight and do not break. But they damage your health and your environment and are best avoided. Instead use glass, ceramic, porcelain or even stainless steel for your storage needs. If you can use recycled glass which is ovenproof as well, that is a good option because then you can put it straight from the fridge or freezer into the oven.

What should you do with the plastics you already have? Phase them out; keep them to store dry foods or even non-food items. Some of them can be used to store stationery items like paper clips, pins, staples or small stuff like junk jewellery. Bigger containers may be used to store letters. Sealed medicines can be stored in plastic as can stuff like batteries, CDs, DVDs and playthings for children.
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