As we become more environmentally conscious, it can be difficult to find eco-friendly rattan furniture.
However, cane and rattan furniture provide a really good alternative to traditional hardwood. Brands like Desser and Cane Industries provide good quality furniture that are sustainable and look good.
Rattan is a naturally renewable palm that grows in diverse forests across Africa and Asia.
Incredibly, rattan grows over 2 centimetres per day. To put this into perspective, this means it grows up to 6 metres every year! Rattan can be fully grown and harvested within two years, compared to some hardwoods which take up to 20-30 years. Therefore, rattan is a completely sustainable product that is environmentally friendly.
Rattan helps to sustain numerous other plants and landscapes. As a runner, it relies on other trees and vegetation for survival. Therefore, rattan harvesters are encouraged to preserve the rainforests where it is found. Rattan also grows in harsh conditions, such as in floodwater, that would usually make land unusable.
Across Asia, rattan is an invaluable part of rural people’s livelihoods.
Rattan crops support many small holdings across South and Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, where it is grown and harvested. It provides people in these local communities with a regular, reliable income in an uncomplicated industry with a focus on labour-intensive management.
How do the rattan furniture brands that Dovetail stock ensure they are eco-friendly?
Desser promotes fair trade ethics across their company. In a statement on their website, they reveal they “abide by a low carbon emission business plan” to “provide [their] customers with environmentally friendly furnishings.”
In 2011, Daro was awarded a made-aware status for its rattan furniture by LOFA (The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association). This means they work closely with rattan suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.
You can view the full Daro rattan furniture collection by clicking here.
