JONATHAN ROSE DESIGN

SUSTAINABILITY

Simply living in this world has an impact on the environment. Our challenge is to minimise that impact and if we do it continually in an incremental way, gradually our impact lessens.

As a starting point Jonathan Rose Design uses timber subject to UK and EU planning regulations for woodlands and forests. This means the harvesting process is sensible and there is no felling without replanting. In the situation where specific trees are used, there are no tree preservation orders in place or the tree has been felled for specific land management issues.

The next increment lies in design, where the item’s life beyond its initial use is designed in from the start. Using wood, naturally means it’s carbon remains on the surface of the planet and can be used for firewood or made into something else in preference to landfill. We hope our furniture does not end up as firewood.

Using green electricity ensures power comes from a sustainable source. Jonathan Rose Design also minimises the supply transport miles where possible so does not use timber imported from outside Europe but preferably from the UK.

Jonathan Rose Design sees the next major step is the circular economy where materials are designed for reuse, services are shared and our economic outlook changes from individual profit maximisation to a recoupling of the relationship between economy and ecology. We haven’t got to grips with this fully yet, but it feels like a powerful direction to go in.

The Ellen MacArthur foundation is a leader in the transition to the circular economy.