Environmental Impact

How Lightly Used Shopping Helps the Environment

In the United States, furniture disposal accounts for a significant portion of waste in landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), furniture, along with other large household items, makes up about 9-10% of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) stream. In 2018, approximately 9.8 million tons of furniture were discarded, contributing to the overall 292 million tons of MSW generated that year. A large portion of this waste consists of bulky items like couches, chairs, and mattresses, which are often difficult to recycle due to the materials they contain. By purchasing used furniture, consumers can help mitigate this waste, reducing the amount of valuable resources that end up in landfills.

 

How Open-Box Shopping Helps the Environment

Choosing open-box items isn’t just a smart financial decision—it’s an environmentally responsible one. When products are returned, overstocked, or opened but still in perfect condition, they often end up discarded or liquidated in ways that contribute to unnecessary waste. By purchasing open-box goods, you help extend the life of these items and prevent them from entering landfills. This reduces manufacturing demand, lowers carbon emissions associated with producing new products, and supports a more sustainable, circular economy. It’s a simple choice that keeps great merchandise in use and helps protect the planet at the same time.

 

Why Closeout Furniture Is Also Eco-Friendly

Buying closeout items helps reduce waste by ensuring unsold, brand-new pieces don’t get discarded or destroyed when new lines come in. By giving these products a home, you help minimize landfill impact, reduce the environmental footprint of excess inventory, and support a more sustainable retail cycle.