When I lived in Kelowna I worked at Lakehouse for three years. One brand I fell in love with while I was working there was Loll Designs. They design/manufacture outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic (mostly from single-use milk jugs). I bet you’re wondering how comfortable milk jugs are to sit on, or how that would look in your backward. I encourage you to browse their website because there is so much to see, but from my personal experience I can assure you that the furniture is extremely comfortable!

Most of the customers who shopped frequently Lakehouse had higher-incomes so the premium pricing of Loll furniture was never an issue. In terms of Gfk Roper’s shades of green, I don’t think Loll is targeting the “True-blue Greens” or “Greenback Greens” segments. I think their products are definitely attractive to these segments, but I don’t think they are the company’s profit drivers. I am confident in my opinion because when I was selling Loll products at Lakehouse the recyclable materials feature was the last thing they wanted sales associates to mention. In terms of positioning, I think they have adopted a “great first, green second strategy” – design and durability are their primary focus.

Loll designs has incorporated sustainability throughout their entire value chain. In terms of the manufacturing process, Loll confirmed that they recycle 95% of the waste that they produce. This waste is sent to a local recycling plant. All of the Loll furniture is 100% recyclable, so after several years of use the consumers can sustainably dispose their furniture! It is obvious that the product themselves are sustainable, since they are made entirely from recycled plastic. But it doesn’t stop there – since 2008 Loll has implemented an annual initiative called “Plant a Tree,” and they are proud members of the global movement “1% for the planet.” Loll designs is a great representation of what a long term sustainability focus looks like.