Eco-Friendly Furniture from Pottery Barn

October 12, 2015

Question from Jessica

Hi Debra,

Thanks for all your research and helpful information, which I use all the time. I'm wondering if you know anything about Pottery Barn's new furniture line, "PB Comfort Eco." Here are the details: www.potterybarn.com/shop/furniture-upholstery/sofa-sectional-collections/pb-eco-sofas-sectionals

I've learned to be suspicious of "green-washing," especially from the big manufacturers, but this looks like it might be a genuinely safe option for those of us who can't afford the truly 100% non-toxic couches available.

I'd appreciate your opinion, based on the information available online.

Debra's Answer

They have a nice little graphic that explains what makes it “eco.”

Let’s look at each of these.

But first, we’re going to see more and more of these types of sofas and chairs because of the change in the California law that now allows upholstered furniture without fire retardants.

100% flame-retardant free. Excellent

Recycled polyethylene & natural latex foam cushion I have no problem with that either.

FSC certified [wood] frame and legs Good.

Recycled steel springs. Fine.

Recycled foam arm padding. Undisclosed type of foam, so can’t evaluate. It is likely polyurethane foam.

100% organic cotton upholstery [fabric]. Yay!

I called Pottery Barn and the upholstery fabric is totally untreated.

They have no further information on the recycled foam in the arms. It’s probably a mix of foams.

OK. So they are unclear on the concept. The point here is that this is a fire retardant free sofa or chair. Their market is people interested in health. Yet they designed this collection with recycled materials that have environmental benefits, rather than focusing on healthy materials.

They are going in the right direction. Almost there. I just can’t evaluate that foam in the arms but it is likely polyurethane foam which I don’t recommend. But the rest of it looks fine to me, based on the information I have. Readers have also confirmed that the foam contains antimicrobials.