In the current context, characterized by growing concerns about environmental issues, recycling emerges as an unavoidable necessity in the fields of design and architecture. Each year, the construction industry generates more than 1.3 billion tons of waste globally, accounting for nearly 40% of all disposed materials. Integrating recycled materials into projects is not only imperative for reducing environmental impact but is also crucial for promoting a circular economy and valuing resources that would otherwise go to waste. This article explores how design can incorporate recycling not just as a matter of environmental responsibility but as a central pillar of sustainable and long-term innovation.

Sustainable design goes beyond merely reducing waste. It embodies the internalization of environmental, social, and economic values that define the quality and value of a project. Products designed to last, such as FSC® teak outdoor furniture or regenerated fabrics, demonstrate a commitment to longevity and minimizing ecological impact.

The longevity of products and emerging materials

Longevity is a fundamental characteristic of products, offering an essential contribution to sustainability and sustainable development. The careful selection of materials, along with collaboration with conscientious suppliers and designers, aims to create timeless furniture designed to endure. The use of durable, recycled, recyclable, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and certified components exemplifies RODA’s commitment to environmental responsibility. RODA, a company specializing in outdoor furniture, incorporates materials like FSC® teak, sourced from controlled forests for some collections. Straps, fabrics, and cords are regenerated from production waste through processes that minimize water and chemical additive use while reducing CO2 emissions. Increasingly utilized aluminum combines lightness with sustainability, as it can be endlessly recycled. Natural brown cork, 100% eco-friendly, is produced through a green energy process.

Certifications and Transparency

Environmental certifications serve as tangible tools for assessing, recording, and declaring responsibility. Certifications such as GREENGUARD GOLD, which recognizes compliance with stringent criteria for low emissions to protect human health, ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems, and FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) FSC-C155819, signifying responsible forest management, underline RODA’s commitment. These certifications not only ensure that products meet rigorous environmental standards but also confirm the company’s responsible practices in preserving the ecosystems from which its chosen materials, such as teak wood, are sourced.

Corporate Programs and Initiatives

Through the “I am Green” program, a leading international furniture and lighting group aims to structure and organize its activities on two fronts: Product, by creating green furniture made from natural and recycled materials with a focus on circularity, and Company, by adopting a sustainable approach to development, production, and product distribution. Projects like the REEF armchair, made from recycled materials and designed for circularity, highlight how design can actively contribute to cleaning the oceans and reducing waste.

Recycling in design is not only a response to environmental necessity but also a real opportunity for innovation and change. With increasing awareness and collaboration between designers, companies, and consumers, sustainable design can continue to grow, transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for a greener and more responsible future.

In the picture: outdoor furniture made of teak by RODA.

Article published in the magazine TuttoGreen