Rattan furniture has been making a comeback in the interior design world for a few years now, reports VPRO. What was once the trend in the 1960s and 1970s was shunned a decade ago, but today it's popular again in bohemian, Japandi- and Scandi-style homes. The furniture is praised for its natural look and durability. But is rattan really as eco-friendly as claimed? Lieke van den Krommenacker of the Dutch VPRO programme "Keuringsdienst van Waarde" questions manufacturers' claims.
The first question the presenters ask is: what exactly is rattan? The answers range from bamboo to a type of reed. After inquiring with conservation organisation IUCN, however, rattan turns out to be a species of palm that only grows in tropical rainforests. It is a twining plant, which can grow to a huge size. Harvesting is done by cutting rattan loose and transporting the pieces by river. According to rattan sellers, nature is not harmed in the process because the plant grows quickly. Retail chains such as Xenos also state that their rattan production is sustainable.
However, the program sheds a different light on the process. To meet the high demand, rattan is felled at a rapid pace. This is often done in a way that is harmful to the environment, after which the rattan is treated with diesel oil and toxic gases to make it pest-free for consumers. The programme makers show the full process, and although it is light-heartedly presented, the message comes across clearly: the sustainability of rattan furniture is not as obvious as it seems.
Source: Keuringsdienst van Waarde