Natural Home Interviews Sustainable Furnishings Council President Jeff Hiller
Founded in 2006, the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) aims to reduce the furniture industry’s environmental impact by improving materials and manufacturing and piquing consumer interest in healthy furnishings.
July/August 2010
By Susan Melgren
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Jeff Hiller is the president of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), which aims to improve the furniture industry's materials and manufacturing practices.
Photo By Matt Lankes
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Founded in 2006, the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) aims to reduce the furniture industry’s environmental impact by improving materials and manufacturing and piquing consumer interest in healthy furnishings. President Jeff Hiller takes the table.
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Who belongs to the SFC?
Our members are progressive, responsible companies who are making legitimate efforts to make a difference. For some, this means paying dues and learning. For others, it means building upon current and past efforts. But all of them share these qualities: an awareness of the issues, a sincere desire to improve and the willingness to put their money where their mouths are in terms of supporting our organizational initiatives.
Tell us about those initiatives.
We want our industry to minimize its negative impact on the environment and human health. This means emitting less carbon through conservation and minimized transportation, reducing the amount of toxic chemicals in manufacturing, and reducing or eliminating product offgassing inside homes. We also regard it as our mandate to develop interest in purchasing sustainable goods at all points in the supply chain.
What is the SFC’s goal?
To build the market for green furnishings, starting with awareness and education at all levels—from raw materials suppliers to consumers—and building brand recognition of our logo as a symbol of assurance.
How does the council meet this goal?
We offer seminars at every major furniture market, ranging from sales training to current developments such as the soon-to-be-enforced legal wood sourcing requirements mandated by the Lacey Act Amendments. We also offer training for manufacturers, designers and retailers in green home furnishings. We just launched a national consumer print campaign featuring celebrity designers associated with sustainable products such as Alexander Julian, Thom Filicia, Angelo Surmelis and Kathy Ireland.