There are some fixed rules that simply cannot be ignored, and making informed choices regarding materials is one of these. Whether they are new or are already familiar to us but used in an innovative way, it is important that they do not have an environmental impact, and that they are made in a way that makes the best use of resources. Because ensuring good green credentials has become a necessity for all brands.

Here are some virtuous examples, whose design makes the most of, for example, the properties of a newly-formulated kind of porcelain (Hyper*P), as in the case of Richard Ginori’s modular collection Aria, which is particularly resistant to knocks, or those of bamboo, polyester or even PVC. Yes: not all plastic is bad…

The fabric made from recycled PVC plastic used by Pappelina to make its hand-woven carpets is strictly phthalate-free and Reach certified. Its non-toxicity and resistance to UV rays are a guarantee of durability and hygiene, and they are also ideal for allergy sufferers. The Swedish brand, whose name is a combination of the words “paper” and “linen” (as well as being a pun on the name of its founder Lina Rickardsson), and the original materials the products were made from, has a new collection of Ylva plaids, featuring an exclusive combination of organic wool, and chenille made from organic cotton.

Another plastic is polyester, a polymer derived from waste and recycled materials, and one of the most widely-used fibres in the textile industry. This kind of fabric has been chosen by the Danish brand Umage for its armchair covers and complements, because it is more resilient and durable than natural fabrics like wool and cotton, but above all because its production uses up fewer resources than cotton, and it is easier to recycle. It is in fact estimated that 40 kilos of CO2 are released for every kilo of cotton produced, across the production chain, while one kilo of polyester generates just five kilos of CO2…

So not all natural materials are ideal for sustainable industry, and wood also needs to be chosen carefully. Bamboo was used for Tognana’s Natural Love range: “the ideal choice for a more sustainable world” because it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases much more oxygen than other types of timber. It is also renewable, helps combat air pollution and preserves the eco-system.

Every human activity leaves a footprint behind. The important thing is to be aware of that fact and pursue a policy that has the lowest impact.