EQ3 announced its plan to become a circular company and has outlined specific, immediate actions to move toward their goals of becoming more sustainable in design and manufacturing.
The brand will continue to use recyclable, sustainable materials across products, shipping (evolving the reduction of waste in packaging and supply chain), and customer experience (keeping products in circulation as long as possible).
Launching this June, EQ3 will begin a partnership in the US with pioneer circular commerce platform FloorFound, which will pick-up oversized e-commerce returns from customers and house them for resale on FloorFound’s site, their partner network, and the EQ3 US website.
Called EQ3 ReHome, this circular model is in line with EQ3’s current practice of resale in Canada through outlet stores and will keep EQ3 designs in circulation and out of landfills. FloorFound’s model also reduces shipping and handling carbon emissions and wear, due to its strategically placed returns processing centres across the country, and increases the ease of experience by direct pick-up and delivery to the customer.
“Our commitment to these Canadian values reaches beyond design into our business strategy, and we’re thrilled to announce that we will be circular in North America with the help of our partners at FloorFound, who are doing incredible work in creating a pathway to ensuring that well-made, lightly-used furniture does not end up in the landfill and instead finds another home,” said EQ3 President Mark Letain.
“Over 33% of the country’s landfills are furniture, and recent statistics show that if we were to represent the weight in 3-seater sofas, we could line them from San Diego to Augusta Maine, roundtrip 13 times,” said FloorFound Founder and CEO Chris Richter. “Partnerships like ours with EQ3 make it easier for customers to prioritize sustainability and contribute to the circular economy — and our estimation is that this collective effort on the part of brands and their customers will have a massive impact. By 2023, FloorFound aims to reduce 846 metric tons of carbon emissions by utilizing our local hub network — the general equivalent of planting a forest of 40k trees.”
At the same time, EQ3 has created a new role, responsible for creating more environmentally friendly packaging. In addition to reconsidering packaging to reduce waste and environmental harm overall, a key charge will be to eliminate the use of styrofoam from all EQ3 packaging by 2023.
EQ3’s sustainability practices include:
Local Manufacturing: EQ3’s corporate headquarters, R&D, and manufacturing facility all operate under the same roof in Winnipeg, Canada. By keeping as much production close to home as possible, EQ3 reduces its carbon footprint, contributing fewer emissions related to travel.
Made to Order Model: EQ3’s upholstery products are made to order, reducing waste in material use and overstock.
Sustainable Finishes & Stains: EQ3 has created its own environmentally sensitive water-based finish at their manufacturing plant in Indonesia, helping to reduce harsh chemicals and VOCs put out into the world during the production process.
Ethical Sourcing: EQ3 works closely with suppliers to ensure continuity in vision and passion for environmental and equitable solutions.
Technician Program: EQ3 also works with individual customers to extend the lifespan of their large furniture — their technician program is available to reupholster EQ3 frames to give older pieces a new life.
“Sustainability has always been central to our work at EQ3. Our commitment to the principles of Canadian design — objects that embody Canadian values of inclusivity, pragmatism, modesty, empathy and thoughtfulness — has always foregrounded concerns of keeping our practices environmentally friendly and our products designed to outlive trends and remain in people’s homes for the long term,” said Letain.
