Hey there—thank you for asking such an important question. It’s one that more and more of us are asking when we think about our public spaces, and honestly, that’s a really good sign for the planet.
Let’s be real: when you buy a park bench, you’re not just buying a place to sit. You’re buying a story—about the materials, the hands that shaped them, and the miles they traveled to reach your community. So yes, I care about that carbon footprint too.
Here’s the short answer: I prioritize local sourcing whenever possible.
For the majority of my urban bench models, especially those made from sustainably harvested hardwood or recycled steel, I work with regional manufacturers within a 200–300 mile radius of major urban centers. That means fewer diesel miles, shorter shipping routes, and a lighter climate impact. For example, my classic “City Oak” bench is assembled by a family-owned workshop in the Pacific Northwest using locally milled Douglas fir—and it ships directly to you within the same region.
But I’ll be honest with you: some components—like certain powder-coated metal frames or custom cast-iron bases—may come from specialized suppliers overseas. Why? Because the technology for that specific finish or durability standard isn’t available in every region yet. When that happens, I batch ship by ocean freight (which has a far lower carbon footprint per item than air freight) and offset the remaining emissions through verified carbon credits supporting reforestation projects.
What does that mean for your purchase?
- If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, your bench likely travels less than 500 miles.
- Every bench comes with a transparent supply-chain summary so you can see exactly where it was made.
- I’m currently piloting a “carbon-negative” bench model made entirely from salvaged urban timber—no shipping beyond your local city limits.
So, the next time you choose a bench, you’re not just choosing a seat—you’re casting a vote for how we build our shared world. And I’m here to help you make that choice feel lighter.
If you’d like a full breakdown for a specific model or zip code, just let me know—I’ll send you the miles, the material origin, and even the truck route. Transparency isn’t a sales pitch; it’s a promise.
Let’s build a greener place to sit, one bench at a time.