How Resiklo Miami Minimizes Its Environmental Footprint

Sustainability isn't just about materials—it's about every decision, from sourcing to production to delivery. At Resiklo Miami, environmental responsibility guides everything we do. We're constantly evaluating our practices, seeking improvements, and holding ourselves accountable. Here's a transparent look at how we minimize our environmental footprint across every aspect of our business.

Material Sourcing: The Foundation

Our environmental approach begins with materials:

Reclaimed Wood Priority: We prioritize salvaged and reclaimed wood, diverting waste from landfills while preserving forests.

Certified Sustainable Sources: When using new wood, we source only FSC-certified timber from responsibly managed forests.

Local Sourcing: We work with Florida and Southeast suppliers whenever possible, reducing transportation emissions.

Quality Over Quantity: We select durable, long-lasting materials rather than cheap alternatives that need frequent replacement.

Minimal Waste: Our design process maximizes usable wood from each board, minimizing offcuts and waste.

Every material decision considers environmental impact, not just cost or convenience.

Energy-Efficient Production

Our workshop prioritizes energy efficiency:

Hand Tools: Traditional hand tools and techniques require minimal electricity compared to power-hungry industrial machinery.

Natural Light: Our workshop design maximizes natural light, reducing artificial lighting needs during daytime hours.

Efficient Equipment: When power tools are necessary, we use modern, energy-efficient models.

Solar Consideration: We're exploring solar panel installation to further reduce our carbon footprint.

No Mass Production: Made-to-order furniture eliminates speculative manufacturing waste.

Small-scale, craft-based production is inherently more energy-efficient than industrial manufacturing.

Water Conservation

Furniture making can be water-intensive, but we minimize usage:

Efficient Cleaning: We use minimal water for workshop cleaning and tool maintenance.

Waterless Processes: Many traditional woodworking techniques require no water at all.

Low-Water Finishes: Our natural oil finishes require far less water than water-based stains or paints.

Responsible Disposal: Any water used in cleaning or finishing is disposed of properly, never poured into storm drains.

Chemical-Free When Possible: Reducing chemical use also reduces water needed for cleanup.

Finishing Products: Non-Toxic and Low-VOC

The products we use to finish furniture matter enormously:

Natural Oils: Plant-based oils like linseed and tung oil are renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic.

Low-VOC Polyurethanes: When protective coatings are needed, we use only low-VOC water-based products.

No Formaldehyde: We never use finishes or adhesives containing formaldehyde or other harmful chemicals.

Minimal Packaging: Our finishing products come in recyclable containers with minimal plastic.

Proper Storage and Disposal: We store all finishing products safely and dispose of any waste according to environmental regulations.

These choices protect both the environment and your indoor air quality.

Adhesives and Fasteners

Traditional joinery minimizes the need for adhesives and hardware:

Mechanical Joinery: Mortise-and-tenon, dovetails, and other traditional joints create strong connections without chemicals.

Minimal Glue: When adhesive is necessary, we use non-toxic, low-VOC wood glue.

Quality Hardware: For pieces requiring hardware, we choose durable, long-lasting fasteners that won't need replacement.

No Toxic Adhesives: We never use formaldehyde-based glues or synthetic adhesives common in mass-produced furniture.

Waste Reduction and Management

We're committed to minimizing waste at every stage:

Design Efficiency: Careful planning maximizes usable wood from each board.

Scrap Utilization: Smaller pieces become accent details, drawer parts, or samples.

Wood Scrap Donation: Usable scraps are offered to local schools, makers, and artists.

Sawdust Management: Sawdust and shavings are composted or provided to local farms for animal bedding.

Recyclable Packaging: Any packaging materials are recyclable or biodegradable.

Near-Zero Landfill: Our goal is to send virtually nothing to landfills.

Every piece of wood is valued and used thoughtfully.

Transportation and Delivery

Local operations dramatically reduce transportation impact:

Local Manufacturing: Furniture made in Miami for Miami customers means minimal shipping distance.

Combined Deliveries: We consolidate deliveries to maximize efficiency and reduce trips.

Minimal Packaging: Local delivery allows us to use reusable protective blankets instead of disposable packaging.

Fuel-Efficient Vehicles: Our delivery vehicles are maintained for optimal fuel efficiency.

Customer Pickup Option: Customers can pick up furniture directly, eliminating delivery emissions entirely.

Compared to furniture shipped from overseas, our transportation footprint is minuscule.

Longevity: The Ultimate Sustainability

The most sustainable furniture is furniture that lasts:

Quality Construction: Traditional joinery and solid materials ensure decades of use.

Timeless Design: Classic aesthetics mean furniture won't look dated and need replacement.

Repairable: Our construction methods allow furniture to be repaired, tightened, and maintained.

Refinishable: Solid wood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its life.

Warranty and Support: We stand behind our work and offer guidance on care and maintenance.

A Resiklo Miami dining table used for 50 years has a fraction of the environmental impact of five cheap tables replaced every decade.

Community Engagement

Environmental responsibility extends to community:

Education: We share our knowledge about sustainability, woodworking, and responsible consumption.

Local Partnerships: We collaborate with other Miami sustainability-focused businesses.

Workshop Tours: We welcome visitors to see our practices firsthand.

Transparency: We openly discuss our methods, challenges, and ongoing improvements.

Advocacy: We support policies and initiatives that promote sustainability and local manufacturing.

Building a sustainable community amplifies individual efforts.

Continuous Improvement

We don't claim perfection—sustainability is an ongoing journey:

Regular Assessment: We periodically review all practices for improvement opportunities.

New Technologies: We stay informed about innovations that could reduce our impact.

Feedback Integration: We listen to customers, employees, and community members about how we can do better.

Measurable Goals: We set specific targets for waste reduction, energy use, and material sourcing.

Transparency About Challenges: We're honest about where we fall short and what we're doing to improve.

Resiklo Miami is committed to always doing better, never just good enough.

The Bigger Picture

Our environmental efforts contribute to broader sustainability goals:

Climate Action: Reducing emissions and sequestering carbon in long-lasting wood products.

Circular Economy: Keeping materials in use and out of landfills.

Biodiversity: Supporting responsible forestry and reducing deforestation pressure.

Health: Creating furniture that doesn't pollute indoor air or harm makers and users.

Community Resilience: Building local economic capacity that's less vulnerable to global disruptions.

Every Resiklo Miami purchase supports these larger environmental and social goals.

Your Role in the Impact

Our customers are partners in this environmental mission:

Choosing Sustainable: Your purchase decision supports responsible practices.

Caring for Furniture: Proper maintenance extends furniture life, multiplying sustainability benefits.

Sharing the Story: Telling others about sustainable furniture encourages broader change.

Providing Feedback: Your insights help us improve and do better.

Together, we're proving that beautiful, functional, sustainable furniture is possible—and that it's the future of design.

Join us in minimizing environmental impact. Explore Resiklo Miami's sustainably crafted furniture at resiklomiami.com and be part of the solution.