Sustainability and History: The Eco-Friendly Value of Antiques
26th Jun 2022
With the unusual weather patterns we’ve been seeing over the past several years, the future of the climate is on everyone’s mind. There is a push to reduce food waste, avoid fast fashion, cut down on carbon and emissions, and more.
One strategy that all experts agree can help our planet is reducing the amount of waste that we create through consumerism. A lot of pollution comes from production and waste, so if we buy less items that we do not need, we will cut down on the amount of carbon and contaminants needed to create them.
Enter: Antiques
Antiques are beautiful. They are items that are rich in history, rare, and typically far more unique and interesting than the products that are made today.
Yet their benefits extend beyond their collectability. They are also an eco-friendly purchase, as antiques offer a type of product that:
- No Carbon Footprint - The climate cost of antiques and vintage collectables is zero. These are products that were created decades ago. There is no carbon footprint when you own these items, nor is any manufacturer going to increase production demand as a result of your purchase.
- Not Mass Produced/Industrialized – The vast majority of antiques were also created with more eco-friendly manufacturing. Not all of them, of course, but the majority of these antiques and collectables were made by hand or in small shops, none of which have the ecological impact of major corporations.
- Last Forever – Antiques do not have to become waste. They are an investment. If someday you do not plan to own the antiques anymore, they can be sold or donated, and will not end up in the landfill.
When you combine the ability to own a piece of history along with negligible/inexistant impact on the climate, you end up with a product that – in today’s more eco-conscious world – is far more valuable and with benefits that extend well beyond the artistry of the pieces.