The Hidden Cost of Furniture Waste: How Excess Stock Impacts the Environment and Economy

The global furniture industry, worth billions of dollars, faces a significant issue: excess stock and unsold furniture, which lead to both environmental and economic challenges. A report from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) in 2021 revealed that the European Union alone generates 10 million tons of furniture waste annually, largely from unsold or surplus products. Much of this ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to landfill expansion and carbon emissions. 

The Economic Impact of Surplus Stock 

Economically, surplus stock burdens manufacturers, retailers, and distributors with high storage and disposal costs. In cities like Berlin and Amsterdam, warehousing costs can exceed €8-€12 per square meter each month (Warehousing Costs around the World, 2023). Retailers are forced to sell off unsold items at discounted prices, often at a loss, while incineration or landfill disposal results in significant financial strain and increased operational costs. 

The Environmental Toll of Overproduction 

Beyond economic tolls, overproduction causes environmental damage. Larger furniture items are hard to recycle, and even efforts to recycle these products are inefficient, leaving a large carbon footprint. Unsold items that are burned add more carbon emissions, undermining carbon reduction goals (IEA,2024). 

Conclusion: Tackling the Hidden Costs of Furniture Waste 

In conclusion, embracing circular economy principles can mitigate the hidden costs of furniture waste, benefiting both the environment and the economy. Consumers and businesses working together can drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future in the furniture industry. 

Get Involved 

Are you ready to make a difference? Explore ReFurnish today and discover how you can shop sustainably, support the circular economy, and reduce waste—all while finding beautiful, affordable furniture for your home. 

Furnitly. Editorial Team 

References 

1. European Environmental Bureau (2021). “The Circular Economy and Waste Management in Europe.” https://eeb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Report-on-the-Circular-Economy-in-the-Furniture-Sector.pdf 

2. IEA. (2024, October 16). World Energy Outlook 2024 – Analysis - IEA. IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2024 

3. Warehousing costs around the world. (2023, August 11). Savills Impacts. https://www.savills.com/impacts/market-trends/warehousing-costs-around-the-world.html