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Recycling Partnership Between Online Furniture Company Europe by Net and Oxfam Recycling Partnership Between Online Furniture Company Europe by Net and Oxfam
Europe by Net httpwww.europebynet.com

From an environmental perspective, land-fill taxes and the issues surrounding community waste disposal are set to become widely debated with new and strict EU laws on land-fill availability set to be introduced over the next five years. Oxfam has in excess of 700 stores and recycling centres across the UK and liaises closely with local authorities regarding disposal of large, unwanted household items such as furniture.

As Michael Taylor, Oxfam Trading’s Corporate Account Manager said, “Books and clothes comprise by far our biggest single disposal costs. Technically, furniture is disposed of by container and we pay the same container costs no matter what we put in it, though bulkier items might cost more to dispose of if we have to make special arrangements to take them to a specific amenities site. Looking ahead, it is the disposal of brown/white electrical items plus larger objects such as furniture that will probably give us most cause for concern.”

From customer research, Europe by Net recognised that its customers want their old furniture to go to a good home - and responded by launching this novel idea.

Europe by Net has from its inception maintained a strong policy of supporting local communities and charities wherever possible. In the UK it uses charity 1st Moveability to deliver its furniture – this is a charity assisting people with mental health issues. People interested in taking part in the recycling service are requested to inform Europe by Net at the time of placing their order. This service is free except for petrol/diesel delivery charges.

The "New for Old" service is currently available in the UK and US. Europe by Net offers over 5,000 products that fall within the criteria of this scheme. The company has a world-wide presence with over 50% of its business base in the US and Japan. The remainder is spread across Europe (including the UK). The company was set up with the intention of enabling consumers to save money – this has been achieved at an averate rate of 35% - the normal profit margin associated with displaying goods in high-street stores. On-line shopping continues to be a highly ranked growth area.

Visit our website to see modern furniture from Europe by Net http://www.europebynet.com

http://www.oxfam.org.uk

Europe by Net is an established internet company that was started four years ago selling both contemporary and traditional luxury furniture brands. The company has today announced the launch of its new service, "New for Old" - recycling unwanted customers' furniture by delivering them to an Oxfam store.

Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained
Debbie Rodgers

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour's lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here's a quick primer on the available types and their care.

Construction Methods
Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the finished product. The molten metal is poured into the form and then the form is removed when the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and hammered into shape produces the type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal and joins them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials
The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, is growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don't expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for 100 years.

Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you're using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used around a pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.

Whether you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.

If you're buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee durability.

Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a month with a solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.

Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys produce hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion.

Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel until the Second World War when the heavy military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be found at flea markets.

If you're looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the product is either stainless or powder-coated and that any hardware used is also rust-resistant.

Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy!

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com