6 min read
Health vs Sustainability: Can the Two Coexist in Our Homes?
In this article we take a closer look at how to navigate the trade-offs between wellness and sustainability in home materials.
WORDS Elissa Rose
When it comes to designing a better home, two principles tend to dominate the conversation: health and sustainability. WLLW founder Lisa Sternfeld, states that, “health and sustainability have long been treated as parallel goals, but in the built environment, they are deeply intertwined.” Both are often championed as non-negotiables in the pursuit of responsible living, but what happens when they collide?
At first glance, sustainable materials and healthy living appear to go hand in hand. After all, both aim to minimize harm – to the planet, and to ourselves. But when scrutinized through the lens of building and furnishing our homes, tensions start to emerge. What’s good for the Earth isn’t always good for the body, and vice versa. Recycled plastics may reduce waste, but can still off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Natural stone may be a healthy surface choice indoors, but its mining and transport are resource-intensive. So, do we have to choose between one or the other? Or can the two coexist? “The future of design lies in aligning long-term wellbeing with long-term sustainability,” says Lisa.
The Recycled Plastic Dilemma
One of the clearest examples of this tension is recycled plastic. At face value, it’s a win: diverting waste from landfills, closing the loop, reducing the need for virgin petroleum-based production. But when incorporated into household items, such as rugs, furniture and textiles, the health picture becomes murkier. Plastics, even recycled ones, may contain additives like flame retardants, phthalates or microplastic residues. These can leach into dust, accumulate in indoor air, and pose long-term exposure risks, particularly for children and those with respiratory sensitivities. Philip Landrigan, pediatrician and epidemiologist and director of the Boston College Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good, says that “carcinogens, neurotoxic chemicals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals” are all found in plastic.
Does that mean recycled plastic has no place in a healthy home? Not necessarily. But it does mean we need to look beyond the marketing and ask the right questions. What kind of plastic is it? Has it been tested for off-gassing? Where is it used, and how close is it to the air you breathe or the food you eat?
“The future of design lies in aligning long-term wellbeing with long-term sustainability”
Lisa Sternfeld
Natural Isn’t Always Neutral
On the other end of the spectrum, some materials marketed as ‘natural’ or ‘non-toxic’ may be healthier for humans but come with a heavy environmental footprint. According to Lisa, “we need to move beyond green marketing and start insisting on transparency. Healthy design is not just about what is labeled natural or eco, but about how a material is sourced, processed, and how it performs over time.” Take hardwoods: sustainably harvested wood can be a wonderful material for floors, furniture and finishes. But without rigorous sourcing, wood products may contribute to deforestation or long-haul transport emissions. Likewise, cotton is often praised for being natural and breathable – but conventional cotton is water-intensive and heavily reliant on pesticides unless it’s certified organic.
Even stone, clay and wool, which are generally healthy materials indoors, can vary significantly in environmental impact depending on extraction practices, processing methods and distance traveled.
So, Must We Compromise?
The good news is not always. Rather than viewing health and sustainability as opposing forces, we can start thinking in terms of balance and hierarchy. What’s the function of the material? Is it structural or decorative? Will it touch skin or remain out of reach? How durable is it, and will it avoid landfill in a few years?
Durability, in fact, is one of the best meeting points between health and sustainability. A well-made, solid wood table (finished in non-toxic oils) that lasts for decades is both healthier and more sustainable than a particleboard version with formaldehyde-based adhesives that breaks down within five. The same is true of natural fiber rugs, ceramic cookware or linen bedding – they may cost more upfront, but the payoff is longevity, fewer replacements and fewer hidden health costs.
Frameworks for Making Better Choices
Navigating the material trade-offs in a home can feel overwhelming. Here are a few guiding principles to help design a home that serves both your health and the planet:
Prioritize High-Impact Areas:
Focus on materials that affect indoor air and surface contact most – floors, walls, furniture, upholstery, bedding and kitchenware. These are where toxins like VOCs, PFAS or flame retardants tend to linger.
Know Your Certifications:
Look for trusted third-party certifications that address both health and environmental impact. These include GOTS (organic textiles), OEKO-TEX (tested for harmful substances), FSC (sustainably sourced wood), Greenguard (low VOC emissions), and Cradle to Cradle (circular, safe materials).
Ask Questions About Processing:
Even natural materials can be treated with harmful chemicals. Wool rugs, for instance, may be moth-proofed with pesticides unless labeled untreated or organic. Recycled products should be traceable and tested for safety.
Think Circular, Not Just Recycled:
True sustainability isn’t just about using recycled content, it’s about designing for the entire lifecycle. Can the material be repaired, reused, composted or responsibly recycled at end of life? The healthiest home is also one that creates the least waste.
Embrace Less but Better:
Minimalism, when done thoughtfully, can be a powerful tool. Fewer, better-made items reduce overall consumption, indoor pollutants, and the environmental cost of production. Choose materials that age well, are easy to maintain, and don’t require constant chemical treatments.
Ultimately, designing a home that’s both healthy and sustainable means accepting that there’s no perfect material – but there are better ones. It means asking more of brands and makers, pushing for transparency, and staying curious. It’s about progress, not perfection.
If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that our homes are ecosystems. Every choice we make, such as what we sit on, breathe in and sleep under, contributes to that ecosystem. As Lisa reminds us, “the challenge is understanding the ripple effect of every material choice, from its chemical makeup to its lifecycle impact. A truly responsible home considers both.” When we begin to see health and sustainability not as opposing goals but as interwoven parts of the same story, we can start building spaces that are kinder to our bodies and the environment.
Photography: Mark Alexander
