|
AN independent report has confirmed that antiques are environmentally
friendly with a piece of antique furniture likely to have a carbon
footprint 16 times lower than that of a newly manufactured item.
This is the finding of a study that compared the greenhouse gas
emissions associated with the manufacture and use of an antique chest of
drawers with its modern equivalent.
The exhaustive analysis was carried out by Carbon Clear, an independent
consultancy specialising in carbon management and carbon accounting, who
investigated every aspect of the manufacture and life of two specific
pieces – a mahogany-veneered chest of c.1830 and a modern piece of
roughly equivalent value available from a reputable high street
retailer.
It had been assumed that it was more environmentally friendly to buy
furniture that was already in circulation, but the independent study now
confirms this.
The findings will give huge encouragement to the hundreds of antique
dealers who are backing the Antiques are Green campaign, led by Nigel
Worboys of Beaconsfield. "The research demonstrates the importance of
buying antiques over modern furniture for economic and environmental
reasons," he commented.
"Buying antiques reduces landfill, reduces carbon emissions and reduces
consumption of new goods from abroad. The antiques trade is the oldest
recycling business in the world and the ultimate in terms of preserving
our heritage for future generations. This report provides further proof
that antiques should be recognised for their genuine green hallmark –
sustainable, re-usable and re-saleable."
While details of the cutting and processing involved in the manufacture
of the modern chest of drawers in China were readily available, certain
assumptions had to be made about the origins of the antique piece based
on expert opinion.
The carbon emissions associated with the actual manufacture of the
antique piece were very low. Cabinetmakers' workshops in the 1830s were
not generally powered and all work was done by hand and in daylight.
Timber cutting was also done by hand but the report factored in 70 per
cent of the greenhouse gas emissions coefficient, already calculated at
Bath University for current wood cutting and processing.
A similarly conservative approach was taken to the life of the antiques
chest, where it was assumed to have been sold and restored twice, even
though many pieces would have required little or no restoration. Even
with this conservative approach, it was found that the absolute
emissions associated with the old chest, including restoration, storage
and transport, were significantly lower.
The lifespan of the antique piece was assumed to be 195 years, though it
could be much longer. Once this was taken into account, its average
emissions per year were shown to be 16 times less than those for the
modern chest. The lifespan of the new chest was estimated at 15 years
based on expert opinion.
The Carbon Clear report was commissioned by the antiques trade as
represented by Antiques Trade Gazette, Antiques are Green, International
Antiques & Collectors Fairs, The British Antique Dealers' Association,
LAPADA – The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers, The Society of Fine
Art Auctioneers and Valuers and Online Galleries. |
Antiquedesks.net
