Furniture made from eelgrass, good for the environment and your health

The Danish startup Søuld produces eco-friendly building materials from eelgrass.

The use of eelgrass as a building material dates back 400 years ago when Danish folks were using this highly available sea plant as a roofing material. After ten years of research and development, Søuld adapted that traditional building technique into a modern process that leverages the eelgrass’ CO2-binding properties to create furniture that also serves as a carbon sink.

Also, this highly fashionable, recyclable and non-toxic furniture creates a healthier indoor environment. Indeed, it dampens noise, provides acoustic comfort, and absorbs and releases moisture without rotting, resulting in a healthy indoor climate free from noise, bacteria, mould, and other microbes.

Moreover, these products also offer thermal insulation and resistance to fire and can last more than 150 years, contributing to a smaller overall environmental footprint.

Why does it matter? The US Environmental Protection Agency indicated that indoor air pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels, leading to asthma, decreased lung function and heart issues. And, with the average American spending 87% of their life indoors, indoor air quality is even more crucial.

What else can we do?

• Depending on our location, the weather can generate humid conditions, breeding mould in our home. In this context, investing in a dehumidifier can go a long way to creating a healthier environment.
• Our homes usually feature many filters that help us eliminate pollutants, dust and allergens. However, we should make sure to change the filter of our vacuum cleaner, clothes dryer, kitchen vent and AC regularly to ensure their proper functioning – especially if we live in a metropolitan area with high pollution levels.
• Finally, we can leverage nature and install a few indoor plants to clean our environment while improving our mood and enhancing our home décor. Small plants like ferns and lilies and larger palm trees are the best options to pull contaminants out of the air. However, be careful about potential allergies before your next trip to your local florist!

Søuld’s approach respects the cultural heritage of eelgrass while meeting the design and environmental needs of today.