Larger
businesses have had the money to invest in sustainable office furniture
for years. However, smaller businesses could not afford to buy in bulk
to bring down the prices and invest in new furniture. For small businesses
sustainable office furniture often managed using hand-me-downs.
By fall 2008, however, The Business and Industrial Furniture Manufacturers
Association will have created a manual about sustainable office furniture.
The guide has taken two years to produce, but should take the mystery
out of going green for businesses. It will have specifics about plastic
resins and chemicals to help businesses understand what sustainable
office furniture really is.
While small businesses may initially struggle with the magnitude of
the guide, it will eventually help. Because there will be more clarity
in industry standards regarding sustainable office furniture the market
should even out in pricing products. In addition, small businesses will
know what to look for and can leverage during contract negotiations.