We can no longer ignore the human impact on our very delicate ecosystem. The state in which we leave this planet to future generations is both our collective and individual responsibility.  At OI studio we are constantly searching for solutions that will minimize the environmental impact of the products we bring to the market. We source our materials locally whenever possible to minimize fossil fuel usage and to offset vehicle emissions.

These are some of the materials used in our furniture construction:

Substrates Formaldehyde free MDF and FSC certified hardwoods.
Wood veneer Instead of using endangered species or wood from heavily logged forests, we use a composite veneer harvested from mostly poplar wood in managed forests, that is then dyed to replicate the look of specific species.  This composite veneer is virtually indistinguishable from the original and much less impactful on the environment.
Wood Reclaimed beams from 19th century industrial mills, FSC certified timber 
Colored lacquers Water based semi gloss lacquer.
Finishes Water based clear lacquer.  Low VOC paint.  Citrus oil.
Metals Recycled and Recyclable steel or brass
Bamboo Rapid regrowth
Kirei Board Recycled stalks of the sorghum plant layered with poplar wood. KR bond adhesive (formaldehyde-free) 
Fabric Eco-felt : Polyester fiber made from recycled plastic bottles.  Enviroleather: PVC and formaldehyde free faux leather
Cork No trees are cut down for the material cork is harvested by simply cutting the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark regenerates within three years, making this a highly renewable resource. recyclable, hypo allergenic, mold & allergen resistant.
Eco-resin Does not contain PVC (plastic), comprised of 40% pre-consumer recycled content, and can be removed from installations and returned to the manufacturer to be recycled.
Cushion filling Organic buckwheat hulls.  covers: organic cotton canvas and organic silk dupioni.
Printing Our promotional literature is governed by our strong conservation principles. Our brochures are printed on recycled paper. We have also switched to 100% recycled paper for printers and copiers.

There is only so much we as individuals can do to reduce our carbon footprint, but every step, every conscious act to reclaim and re-use brings us all closer to living in harmony with our planet.