Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Upside of Using Eco-Friendly Office Chairs

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly harmless piece of furniture in front of your desk.  Apart from the fact that it is one of the most important items in the workplace, it also has a huge potential to affect its user’s health in more ways than one.  The number of chairs purchased by business establishments all over the world is virtually unimaginable – but can you imagine the amount of raw materials used in building all of these office chairs?  That’s a whole lot of wood, plastic, and fabric that go through a variety of procedures in order to become sturdy office furniture.  Unfortunately, hardly any of these materials are reused or recycled.  If furniture manufacturers do not start resorting to recycled materials, our planet will be in serious trouble very soon.  Healthy living is a huge deal among many people nowadays because of the rise of new diseases and the much younger age range that get afflicted by them.  Aside from eating healthy and getting regular exercise, being in a healthy environment contributes to the well-being of the people in it.  And as we all know, healthy workers are more likely to be more productive and motivated to work than those who do their tasks in an uncomfortable work space. 

Contrary to popular notion, recycled furniture is not unsturdy or poorly-made.  Mesh chairs, which are made of recycled cloth fibers, are very durable and really comfortable, too.  Certain types of plastic are considered “green” because they can be recycled and will also decompose at a much faster rate than non-biodegradable plastic.  Upholstered chairs should also be checked for toxic components to avoid illness in the work place.  Some dyes and pigments contain harmful ingredients which could contaminate the air circulating inside the office.  Otherwise, recycled office furniture is a healthier and more economical solution than non-recycled varieties. 


Mesh Office Chairs Don’t Mess Around

Long hours of sitting can certainly be uncomfortable and inconvenient.  How much worse would it be if you were working in a non-air conditioned office on a sweltering day in July?  In many tropical countries, this is typical weather, and even though the people who live there are used to it, sitting on a leather or fabric-upholstered chair in a warm or poorly-ventilated office can affect work performance and productivity.  Office workers are required to wear business-appropriate clothing which includes pantsuits, coats, and long-sleeved shirts.  Office furniture is made not only to support a person’s position while working, but also to make him/her feel as comfortable as possible going about his/her daily activities.  Leather chairs may be the most elegant material for making furniture, but certainly not the most pleasant thing to sit on during hot weather.  Fabric-upholstered chairs are more comfortable than leather seats; however, when too much sweat is absorbed, the chair develops an unpleasant smell that can really put people off.  Mesh office chairs are gaining popularity among businesses because they offer both comfort and durability. A lot of ergonomic chairs feature a mesh backrest.  This mesh construction is made of tightly-woven fabric pieces that give a sprung effect that feels good on the back. 

Furniture that “breathes” like mesh chairs helps us feel better, too.  The tiny holes in the mesh material provide ventilation that prevents the user from getting too hot.  They look pretty sharp, too!  Mesh chairs go complement modern interiors because it gives off a sort of “industrial” look.  They are much more affordable than leather chairs and are available in assorted designs and sizes. Just like other types of ergonomic chairs, mesh varieties have adjustable segments for the lumbar, leg, and arm regions of the body.

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