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ANTIQUES ARE GREEN
Posted by IAIN BRUNT EDITOR on 08/08/2010
The Antiques trade is the oldest recycling business in the world and the ultimate in terms of preserving our heritage for future generations and, conserving precious natural resources.
For many years antique furniture has been referred to as 'brown' as a result of the colour of wood used and it has often been used in a less than complimentary fashion. The new trend from the industry, spearheaded by the 'Antiques are Green campaign'. is that antiques will be recognised for their genuine green hallmark-“ sustainable, re-usable and re-saleable”.Like all industries fashion and economics plays a part. Existing TV shows like The Antiques Roadshow continue to remain popular whilst shows like Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic have solid and consistent audiences. The emphasis in some shows has been focused on 'cashing in' on the value of items rather than enjoying or living with them. However, all this is changing as a new trend starts to emerge with younger audiences enjoying shows like 'Cracking Antiques' which encourages people to buy Antiques instead of contemporary items, hence creating a pleasurable experience and a more unique image for a much lower cost whilst appealing to their environmental concerns.
Recent research commissioned by the Antiques Industry and undertaken by Carbon Clear confirms this position. The research looked at the carbon footprint of an average modern chest of drawers compared to that of an antiques chest of drawers mad in 1830. The results were astonishing. The antique chest of drawers has a carbon footprint 16 times lower than that of its contemporary twin. This was even taking into consideration the antique chest of drawers being sold, moved and restored twice in its lifetime. The research has been undertaken by Carbon Clear
