Sustainability
More Than One Path to Sustainability
Plural Studios applauds our countless friends, colleagues, and vanguards that are working tirelessly to alleviate their environmental impact. With constantly evolving innovation and environmental certifications, there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to sustainability. So, we started here. Plural bases its business culture on steadfast principles. We are committed to our environment, our people, and our economic strength. We believe true sustainability requires more than third-party certifications, so we have pledged a holistic approach that encompasses waste elimination, reduced reliance on our planet’s limited resources, assurance of the safety and well-being of the individuals building and using our furniture, and extended life cycles for our products.
However, Plural knows we are not in this alone, and we choose our partners mindfully. Our collaborators range from sole entrepreneurs to larger enterprises with soul. Regardless of scale or discipline, they share two of our core values: they are engaged in their communities and dedicated to continuous improvement.
Our natural curiosity leads to constantly seeking and evaluating alternative renewable materials that enhance long-term product performance. We are optimistic and excited about some of the current possibilities we’re exploring, such as plant-based plywood alternatives, recycled plastic cushion foam, and other emerging sustainable materials.
As stewards of the earth, we’re proud to partner with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for each product we sell—even pillows!—resulting in thousands of new trees each year. In our Pacific Northwest manufacturing hub, there are critical forested areas we are helping restore to reduce water contamination, lower toxicity, protect salmon spawning grounds, and improve the food supply for many species of wildlife—as well as the communities in the surrounding areas.
Rather than sending our leftover remnants to the landfill, Plural supplies Pipeline Worldwide with textiles to produce tote bags. The non-profit organization sells these beautiful bags on their website to provide funding and resources for projects that deliver access to clean water, sanitation, education, and healthcare in east Africa’s most impoverished regions. In addition, our founding partner, Anthony Brandt, serves on the Pipeline board of directors.
In our ongoing quest for sustainability, Plural is aspiring to achieve B Corp certification by demonstrating high social and environmental performance, designing our corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and exhibiting transparency through publicly available information regarding our performance as measured against B Lab’s standards.
Plural sources materials in our products responsibly. We use FSC-certified wood, and our foam is sourced from a partner within 200 miles of our factory. In addition, this partner pours per order and type, rather than sending bulk foam that results in scrap and waste. Our finishes and adhesives are low VOC, reducing harmful emissions into the air. Our cartoning and packing materials are also FSC certified, and the bags in which we package our pillows are compostable. We source recycled materials whenever possible, including recycled steel, recycled polyester fill, and recycled polyester textiles.
Our primary objective is to design and produce beautiful, durable furniture that withstands the test of time and can be repurposed for more than one lifecycle. One way we achieve this goal is to offer removable, field-replaceable upholstery covers as a standard feature at no upcharge—because to us, it’s the right thing to do. This routine gesture alone can extend the life of our furniture for many years.
Our social and environmental conscience will always drive Plural to explore, nurture, and grow more than one means of contributing to the wellbeing of our planet and our people. We invite you to join us as we evolve and learn—together.