At Outer, we think a lot about the world we're leaving for future generations. Whether you're a parent or not, we can universally agree that these new little humans deserve a home where they can breathe easy and feel grounded. That home is our beautiful Earth. Part of appreciating our planet is spending more time out in it. We want to encourage our kids (and ourselves!) to get outside more, and to help preserve the outdoors we love so much. How can we help leave this world better than we found it?
Part of the answer is creating companies that respect the environment. We had to start with our own.
Here is one example: Originally we planned to source our fabric from a well-known outdoor fabric brand. We wanted something incredibly durable, but we realized that most all outdoor premium fabrics are made with solution-dyed acrylic. Acrylic is difficult to recycle and often becomes waste. We looked at each other and said “that’s not good”. From that point on we made a deliberate effort to use—or invent—eco-friendly elements to build our sofa.
Wicker made of 30% recycled materials
Our HDPE wicker is made of 30% recycled materials. Each chair of the sofa gives 99+ plastic water bottles a second life.
FSC® Certification
Our Teak Collection is proudly Forest Stewardship Council® certified, the leading international authority on sustainable forest management. FSC® certification is considered the “gold standard” for wood harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable.
Additionally, our teak wood is sourced from responsibly managed teak fields in Central Java. For each tree we harvest, the farm plants three more in its place. A single teak tree can absorb 10kg of carbon every year, helping offset climate change.
Eco-friendly fabrics
Today, we solution dye our fabrics, which results in minimal fading season after season. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to vat dying. Traditional vat dying requires large quantities of water, dye, and energy. Plus, there’s an added risk of waste water leaching into the ground. With solution dying, we make the color as we create the fibers. So there’s no risk of harmful chemical run-off.
Recycled plastic rugs
We use 100% recycled PET plastic bottles, rather than virgin plastics, to make each of our 1188 Rugs. This gives plastics a second life, but also lends to the rug’s overall durability. PET plastics are naturally stain-resistant and, like our sofa, retain color and won’t fade in sunlight or after a harsh cleaning.
Our entire sofa set is recyclable
We take a cradle-to-cradle approach with our design—working with a materials palette we know is easily recyclable. Our frame is made of aluminum. Foams can be easily shred and repurposed as carpet padding. Every plastic we use falls into international recycling codes 2, 4, and 5.
Repurposed hardware bags
When we were deciding on packaging for our hardware, we noticed a shelf of small rolls of fabrics collecting dust. We asked our factory, “What are these?” and learned that these fabrics are called offcuts—fabrics already used for a production run that now had no use. So we gave them a second life too, as our hardware bags. You can save and repurpose them too.
We’re just one company, but we have a big goal of making the world a little better for our children and future generations. We love this earth and don’t think that sitting on outdoor furniture on Mars has the same appeal as enjoying nature in our own backyards. We're an eco-friendly company, but we know we have a lot more to do. We'll keep you updated on our progress.
1% For the Planet Partners
Outer was founded with a mission to get people outside. We want people to help take care of our planet so future generations can continue to enjoy it. To that end, we're proud to partner with 1% For the Planet, a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions. Through our membership, we support a variety of environmental nonprofits throughout the year, including the 5 Gyres Institute and One Tree Planted. Read more about our commitment to sustainability and how 1% For the Planet is helping keep us accountable.