Delivering A Greener Tomorrow
Our sustainable practices in furniture design
We are committed to fostering a sustainable future by integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations into every facet of our operations as a furniture importer of quality and durable products manufactured to the highest environmental standards.
Fast furniture is not designed or manufactured to last and is made from cheap materials sourced from tropical areas, disrupting ecosystems. It is one of the major contributors to deforestation and one of the leading contributors to climate change.
KE-ZU is dedicated to sustainable practices, and this is deeply rooted in our values, guiding us to make responsible choices that positively impact our planet, communities, and stakeholders.
Environmental Responsibility
We prioritise the selection of furniture manufacturers who share our commitment to environmental stewardship and work with strong durability principles.
Without durability,
there is no sustainability.
By sourcing products made from responsibly harvested and renewable materials, we aim to minimise our ecological footprint.
Our goal is offer long lasting products, reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and mitigate environmental impact throughout the entire lifecycle of our furniture offering.
See our brands’ ecolabels here.
Design for Durability and Longevity
Sustainable furniture begins with design.
We work closely with manufacturers to promote the creation of high-quality, durable, and timeless pieces built to last. Our focus on longevity reduces the need for frequent replacements, contributing to a more sustainable consumption pattern.
We have products in continuous production since 1960 with the design classics from Pierre Paulin.
Many of our products have a life cycle of 15-20 years.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
We are committed to reducing the carbon footprint associated with our operations.
By optimising transportation and logistics, investing in energy-efficient technologies, and exploring innovative packaging solutions, we strive to minimise greenhouse gas emissions related to the importation of furniture.
We offer Australian-designed and manufactured products and have secured the right to manufacture under license products from our International suppliers.
See our Australian-made products
Recycling and Circular Economy
We are dedicated to promoting the principles of the circular economy.
We encourage responsible product disposal and provide guidance to our customers on recycling and repurposing furniture items at the end of their life cycle. By supporting circular practices, we aim to minimise waste and contribute to a more resource-efficient society.
Modern Slavery
Product Stewardship Programme
We are committed to undertaking a product stewardship program - under which all products supplied by KE-ZU can be returned through the selected distributor for recycling at the end of product life.
No other costs are chargeable to the consumer apart from the transport cost to the KE-ZU warehouse.
KE-ZU ensures that all GECA-certified furniture returned at the end of life will be recycled through relevant resource recovery networks and not sent to landfills or incineration.
Community
We understand that sustainability is a collective effort. We actively engage with our local communities, clients and industry partners to raise attention about sustainable practices, share knowledge, and collaborate on initiatives that drive positive change.
To connect and bring awareness to the Interior Design and Architects community, we design and create bags using off-cuts and repurposed fabrics and textiles to reduce waste and create a positive effect. These bags are then presented to our customers for use in their work.
A World of Innovation in Design
and Sustainable Practices
In our mission to craft better environments to live, work, and relax in, we provide a gateway to a world of originality, innovation, and sustainability furniture solutions for various markets.
Workplace
Adaptable and energy-efficient furniture that supports productivity and reduces resource consumption.
Education
Learning environments with renewable materials and ergonomic designs.
Hospitality
Multifunctional spaces and recycled materials to inspire sustainable examples and experiences.
Healthcare
Patient comfort and safety while reducing waste and chemical exposure.
Residential
Aesthetic appeal and comfort while minimising carbon footprints to build healthier living spaces.
We are committed to an ongoing journey
of improvement in our sustainability efforts.
We regularly assess and refine our practices, seeking innovative solutions and staying informed about the latest sustainable sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution developments.
By integrating sustainability into the core of our business, we aim to inspire positive change in the furniture industry and beyond.
We invite our customers, partners, and stakeholders to join us on this journey toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
Environmental Certifications
GECA
GECA ecolabel – is an Australian not of profit company that certifies products to be healthier, safer, and better for the environment. They have developed their own rigorous standards, following ISO 14024 principles for global best practice in ecolabelling. GECA certified products align with the following bodies: GBCA (Green Star), ISC, Well, Nabers and LEED allowing for the reduction in the workload during any environmental building assessment. KE-ZU has over 300 GECA-certified products - see here.
FSC® 100%
Andreu World was the first design furniture company in the world to have a complete FSC certified offering. They only use sustainable wood obtained from reforested forests (their own forest) with a complete chain of custody. This starts with the controlled felling, the arrival of the logs at the sawmill and finally the planks that are sent to the AW factories to be transformed to components.
14001
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is a set of standards put forward by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its purpose is to clarify the best practices for organizations that wish to reduce their environmental footprint by adopting an effective environmental management system (EMS). It does not cover the design and development process – unlike ISO 14006.
AFRDI Green Tick
AFRDI Green Tick scheme focusses on commercial furniture products and rates products against the AFRDI 150 sustainability standard. See products here.
Greenguard
Demonstrate product sustainability and commitment to increased health through certifying that products have low chemical emissions. See products here.
BIFMA
BIFMA environmental accreditation can award a LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2 or LEVEL 3 compliance mark based on the number of points achieved in various environmental and social impact areas. LEVEL 3 is the highest threshold a product can reach and is similar to a platinum ranking in the LEED rating system. Although not yet incorporated in the Green Star tool it is still valuable for specification.
Indoor Air Quality
Certification for interior products with low VOC emissions with the most transparent indoor air quality (IAQ) standard for furniture and building materials.
LEED®
The Leadership in Energy Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the US Green Building Council, is a third-party certification program designed to support the worldwide adoption of sustainable green building. LEED approaches sustainability by recognizing performance in five areas of sustainability: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiencies, material selection, and environmental quality.
If you are working on a project that needs to be LEED certified, the products from the following brands count points towards your LEED certification.