Environmental Impact Assessment on Lifecycle of Sofa Material

Abstract

According to the materials of casing, frame, and cushion, this research aims to investigate the environmental impact assessment of sofas. With reference to this characteristic, this assessment is based on the evaluation model “Eco-indicator 99” of Sima Pro and the results are listed as below: l Regarding sofa materials which are brought about the negative influence to the environment: Sofa casing: polyester fiber > leather > imitation leather > cotton; sofa frame: wood > plastic > metal; sofa cushion: TDI foam > MDI foam. l If we deal with sofa materials by chemical methods, respiratory inorganics are caused from a great quantity of fossil fuels during production and the huge negative influence will result in climate change. l Concerning the waste influence on the environment when sofas are end of life: Sofa casing: To incinerate or landfill polyester fiber is more seriously; sofa frame: To incinerate or landfill wood is more critically; sofa cushion: to incinerate TDI or MDI is more harmfully than to landfill or recycle them. l It will have positive help and decrease garbage if we can recycle sofa waste.