Exploring Sustainable Practices

Insights from Morgan, Modus Furniture & Sixteen3

Discover how sustainable furniture manufacturers Morgan, Modus Furniture, and Sixteen3 are leading the way with eco-friendly practices in design, materials, and energy use. Learn more about Sketch Studios' initiative, 'Industry EcoConnect'.

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Tim Forster

Written by

Tim Forster

Contents

Our Sustainable Manufacturing Network, Industry EcoConnect, is dedicated to collaborating with organisations that share our commitment to sustainability. Recently, we visited three remarkable manufacturers: Morgan, Modus Furniture, and Sixteen3. Each of these companies showcases exceptional practices in sustainable manufacturing. Here's a closer look at what we learned during our visits.

Morgan

Morgan is a UK-based furniture manufacturer known for its fully integrated design and manufacturing process. The company prides itself on its mission to maintain exceptional standards while fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

  • Energy Conservation: Morgan's sustainable practices are multifaceted. They utilise a biomass boiler powered by waste wood from their manufacturing process, ensuring that their heating requirements are met sustainably. Additionally, the company has installed over 100 solar photovoltaic panels on their roof, providing approximately 40% of their annual electricity needs.
  • Material Sourcing: Morgan uses FSC-certified timber from the UK and Europe, ensuring responsible forestry practices. Their procurement process for foam is transparent, working with Vitafoam, a UK manufacturer. Furthermore, Morgan actively minimises waste through rigorous quality assurance processes and by reusing timber waste for biomass heating.
  • Community Engagement: The company engages in community outreach by partnering with local schools to offer factory visits and apprenticeships, enriching local education. They also provide an accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme, sharing knowledge about best practices in sustainable manufacturing.

Modus Furniture

Modus Furniture aims to create the finest quality furniture without compromising the environment. As a fellow B Corp, their mission is driven by values such as integrity, quality, and continuous improvement, which they actively implement through regular staff engagement and feedback mechanisms.

  • Future Growth: Modus Furniture has set ambitious targets for carbon reduction, aspiring to decrease their scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% within five years and identify opportunities to reduce scope 3 emissions by 20%. Their commitment to sustainability is further reflected in their goal to ensure 100% of their collection is FSC certified.
  • Waste Management: The company has also prioritised waste management, actively reducing non-recyclable waste by 5%. They collaborate with local schools to donate materials, supporting hands-on learning and promoting sustainability within their community.
  • Material Sourcing: In their packaging, Modus Furniture is transitioning towards 100% recyclable or compostable materials, replacing non-recyclable plastics with eco-friendly alternatives. Their energy needs are largely met through a 100% green tariff, with 39% of electricity generated from solar panels on their factory roof.

Sixteen3

Sixteen3 is a forward-thinking furniture manufacturer dedicated to quality and transparency. With a focus on sustainable practices, the company strives for continuous improvement in everything it does.

  • Energy Consumption and Waste Management: Sixteen3 focuses on using renewable energy for their operations, with all electricity sourced from green providers. Their manufacturing process features LED lighting and electric heating, significantly reducing energy consumption. The company has also implemented a Zero Landfill policy in partnership with a waste management provider, ensuring that all waste is sorted for recycling.
  • Material Sourcing: In addition to responsible energy practices, Sixteen3 demonstrates a commitment to material traceability. Over 90% of their materials are sourced from UK manufacturers, ensuring compliance with labour regulations. They actively promote the use of recycled and natural materials in their products, striving for simplicity and sustainability in design.
  • Community Involvement: Their product lifecycle management includes a take-back scheme for packaging and end-of-life furniture, which supports circular economy principles. Sixteen3 also collaborates with universities to offer student placement schemes, fostering the next generation of designers and makers.

Our visits to Morgan, Modus Furniture, and Sixteen3 provided valuable insights into sustainable manufacturing practices within the furniture industry. Each company demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability through transparency, community engagement, and innovative practices.

Contact us today to learn how you can join our network and contribute to building a brighter, more sustainable future together.

Published on

November 21, 2024