This is a letter to the suppliers of the reupholstery trade. Including, but not limited to the following companies: Martin’s Upholstery Supplies, Livedale Limited, Glover Bros JA Miltion, Richard Wylie, Peter Cook and Black Barn Upholstery. UK suppliers mainly, although we are happy to send this request to upholstery suppliers worldwide.

Everyone who is connected with our industry is welcome to sign this. Upholsterers, managers, owners, students coming in to the trade, interior designers, etc. Please do share the URL asking everyone involved in our industry to sign and share.

Dear Upholstery Suppliers

As the world as become more aware of the climate crisis, reupholstering furniture already owned, has become more popular. Every upholsterer in the industry is busier than ever. And although reupholstering pieces is inherently more sustainable than buying new, our industry still has a long way to go in regards to supplying our clients with more sustainable materials. Many of us have had numerous clients asking for the materials and fabric we supply them to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. At the moment there is little we can offer them in comparison to other consumer industries. Fabric companies have taken up the challenge to some extent. But we are still sorely lacking options for the other materials we use.

It’s really important to note, that this is not an easy ask. The sustainability of a product depends on many factors. Unfortunately it’s not as simply as saying, if it’s biodegradable it’s sustainable. As the impact a product has on the environment includes many factors. For example how something is farmed/manufactured, pesticides used, water used, co2 and energy in growth/production/application/use and end of life.

A big part of being able to be sustainable is simply about making informed choices. So knowing the provenance of a material, how and where something is farmed, for example. At the moment this information is not available to us, but making it available may allow us to see that some products already have less of an impact on the planet and allow our clients to make informed choices.

There have also been some great strides forward by some companies who have developed some great sustainable options. Unfortunately for small companies that make up the majority of our sector, it can be difficult if not impossible to buy in the sort of bulk required. We are asking all upholstery suppliers in our sector to consider some of the new products available.

Companies like TEXTFELT are now supplying materials such as, polyester wadding and sheet foam made from recycled plastic. And ENKEV who are already known to some of our suppliers, offer some better options. We would ask you to engage with companies such as this to see what your buying power might bring to the table. And what you may be able to offer your own loyal customers. The hope is not just to use the sustainable options we have now but to encourage more development of sustainable materials for our industry.

Becoming a more sustainable industry is not just about making out clients happy. We all have a responsibility to look after the planet and safeguard her for the generations to come. The reupholstery industry is poised, ready to take up this challenge. We are already ahead of the game, in some respects, by the nature of our business, with the support of our suppliers we could lead the trades in the field of sustainability.

Thank you for your time and attention.