Sustainability & Environmental Practices

SENTIENT believes that building furniture to last generations is one of the most sustainable things a furniture maker can do. We source American hardwoods regionally, use low-VOC finishes, and build pieces that can be refinished and renewed rather than replaced. Here’s how sustainability shapes every part of our process.

How does SENTIENT approach sustainability?

SENTIENT’s sustainability approach is built on three principles: source locally, build to last, and waste nothing. We source American hardwoods from family-owned mills in Pennsylvania, less than 500 miles from our Brooklyn workshop. Every piece is constructed from solid wood with traditional joinery, meaning it can be refinished and restored for decades rather than ending up in a landfill. Our workshop practices minimize waste, with offcuts repurposed into smaller pieces and accent items. We don’t chase certifications as a marketing exercise. We practice sustainability as a natural extension of how we’ve always worked.

Where does SENTIENT source its wood and why does that matter for the environment?

SENTIENT sources primarily from family-owned lumber mills in Pennsylvania, within 500 miles of our Brooklyn workshop. This regional sourcing reduces transportation emissions significantly compared to importing wood from overseas. Our hardwoods come from sustainably managed American forests where trees are harvested selectively, allowing forests to regenerate naturally. We inspect every slab in person before purchase, which means we only buy what we’ll use. No speculative bulk orders, no excess inventory sitting idle. Supporting regional mills also sustains American forestry jobs and responsible land management practices.

Does SENTIENT offer FSC-certified wood?

Yes. SENTIENT offers FSC-certified wood options for projects that require environmental documentation. This is particularly relevant for commercial and hospitality projects pursuing LEED certification or meeting corporate sustainability targets. Our materials are eligible for LEED and US Green Building Certification requirements. If your project has specific certification needs, let us know during the consultation and we’ll source accordingly. Contact us to discuss your project requirements.

Are SENTIENT’s finishes environmentally friendly?

SENTIENT uses hardwax oil and natural oil finishes on most furniture. These finishes are inherently low-VOC, meaning they release minimal volatile organic compounds into your space. Once fully cured, our hardwax oil finishes are food-safe, making them appropriate for dining tables, kitchen surfaces, and restaurant furniture. We hand-apply every finish rather than spraying, which further reduces airborne emissions. For projects requiring specific environmental compliance, we can recommend finish options that meet your documentation requirements.

Does SENTIENT use reclaimed or salvaged wood?

Yes. SENTIENT works with reclaimed oak sourced from historic structures, including flooring, roofs, and walls up to 200 years old. These salvaged slabs carry distinctive character, with wormholes, nail holes, and weathering patterns that tell a story. Reclaimed wood is available for custom projects on request. It’s a way to build something new with material that already has history. If you’re interested in reclaimed wood for your project, we can show you available inventory during your consultation.

How does building furniture to last reduce environmental impact?

Furniture built to last generations is inherently sustainable because it doesn’t end up in landfills. SENTIENT builds exclusively with solid hardwoods and traditional joinery, not veneers or particle board. This means a SENTIENT table can be sanded, refinished, and restored multiple times over its lifetime. A piece that serves a family for 50 or 100 years displaces dozens of mass-produced replacements that would otherwise be manufactured, shipped, and eventually discarded. Quality is the most honest form of sustainability.

How does SENTIENT minimize waste in production?

SENTIENT’s workshop practices are designed to use materials efficiently. We select each slab knowing how every section will be used, from the primary tabletop down to smaller offcuts that become accent pieces, cutting boards, or sample blocks. Our complete in-house operation, including woodworking, metal fabrication, finishing, and upholstery under one roof, eliminates the transportation waste that comes from outsourcing to multiple vendors. Nothing leaves the workshop until it’s a finished piece headed to its owner.

Does SENTIENT’s local production reduce carbon footprint?

Yes. SENTIENT’s production is concentrated in our 25,000-square-foot Brooklyn workshop, and our primary wood suppliers are less than 500 miles away in Pennsylvania. Compare this to furniture brands importing materials from Southeast Asia or South America, where wood travels thousands of miles by cargo ship before fabrication even begins. Our in-house capability means there’s no shipping between a woodshop, a finishing facility, an upholsterer, and an assembly plant. One location, one team, minimal transportation.

Can SENTIENT furniture be refinished instead of replaced?

Absolutely. Because SENTIENT builds with solid hardwoods throughout, not veneer over composite, our furniture can be refinished multiple times over its lifetime. Scratches, wear marks, and sun fading can all be addressed by sanding the surface and applying a fresh finish. SENTIENT offers refinishing and restoration services for our furniture. A well-maintained piece of solid wood furniture can serve multiple generations, which is the most sustainable outcome any piece of furniture can achieve.

What is SENTIENT doing about packaging sustainability?

SENTIENT uses protective blankets and custom-built crating for every delivery. Our white-glove delivery team handles placement and removes all packaging materials from your space. Where possible, we reuse crating materials and blankets across deliveries rather than using single-use packaging. For large commercial projects, we coordinate delivery schedules to consolidate shipments, reducing the number of trips and associated emissions. Learn more about our delivery process.

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