Image source:
West Elm
Image source:
CB2

West Elm vs CB2

What's the difference between West Elm and CB2

When comparing West Elm and CB2, it's clear that both retailers prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, but there are key differences to consider. West Elm is committed to using design to make a positive impact on the earth, communities, and customers. They support sustainability initiatives with 60% of their product sales, investing in small American-made businesses and artisan collectives worldwide. They were also the first home retailer to join Fair Trade USA, ensuring fair wages and healthy working conditions for workers. West Elm offers a wide range of certifications for their products, including GOTS Certified, FSC Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and Greenguard Gold Certified. On the other hand, CB2 focuses on providing cool and edgy furniture for urban living spaces. Their pieces are often small in scale and multifunctional to accommodate lofts, apartments, and houses of all sizes. While they offer modern furniture for every room in the home along with quirky kitchenware and creative home decor items, CB2 has fewer certifications compared to West Elm. They are FSC Certified and have OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification. In terms of labor practices, both retailers participate in equitable programs. West Elm collaborates with organizations like Fair Trade USA Certified and HERproject to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for workers involved in production. CB2 participates in the Fifteen Percent Pledge by dedicating shelf space to Black-owned businesses as a way to promote economic growth within the Black community. When it comes to self-claimed benefits related to sustainability practices, West Elm highlights various aspects such as handcrafted products assembled in the USA using low-VOC finishes made from reclaimed or recycled materials. They also prioritize water-based finishes and water-efficient products. On the other hand,CB2 only claims to use organic cotton in some of their products. In summary: West Elm places emphasis on sustainable production methods through collaborations with various organizations and certifications. They also prioritize ethical labor practices and offer a wide range of self-claimed benefits related to sustainability. CB2, while offering modern furniture and quirky home decor, has fewer certifications but participates in the Fifteen Percent Pledge to support Black-owned businesses. When considering these retailers, it's important to evaluate which aspects of sustainability and ethics are most important to you and weigh the certifications accordingly.

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

- West Elm has a strong focus on sustainability and ethical production, with 60% of product sales supporting at least one sustainability initiative. - CB2 offers a wide selection of modern furniture for lofts, apartments, and houses of all sizes at an affordable price point. - West Elm offers a range of certifications for their products including GOTS Certified and FSC Certified, while CB2 only has FSC Certified and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. - Both retailers participate in equitable labor programs to ensure ethically sourced products, with West Elm partnering with Fair Trade USA Certified, Better Cotton Initiative, Craftmark, HERproject, and Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program while CB2 participates in the Fifteen Percent Pledge. - While West Elm claims to offer handcrafted, local, contract grade products assembled in the USA with eco-friendly finishes and water-efficient designs; CB2 only claims to use organic cotton in some products.

Company Description

West Elm
West Elm is a home furnishings retailer that uses design to help the environment, communities, and customers. The company's products are 95% designed in-house, and 60% of sales support sustainability initiatives. West Elm is a leader in sustainability, supporting small American-made businesses and collaborating with artisan collectives around the world. Certified organic cotton bedding and bath towels are sustainably sourced, and wood furniture is sustainably sourced. Certified nontoxic furniture has been screened for over 100,000 chemicals and VOCs. Founded in 2002, West Elm is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY.
CB2
CB2 is the modern furniture store for lofts, apartments and houses of all sizes. With its signature urban twist, pieces are often designed with city-living in mind, small in scale and multifunctional. From velvet sofas to chrome coffee tables, CB2 has a wide selection of fresh, fun furniture to decorate every room. In addition to modern furniture, CB2 carries a range of quirky kitchenware and creative home decor. Founded in 2000, there are now fifteen CB2 stores located in some of the coolest neighborhoods across the US and two international locations. Committed to sustainability, CB2 has partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council to offer FSC-certified collections and its Romeoville distribution center was awarded three Green Globes certifications for environmental efficiency.

Differences at a Glance

West Elm

CB2

Headquarters

Year Founded

Store Type

Product Type

Aesthetic

Parent Company

Welcome Discount

Price

Quality Level

Reviews on Website

Free Returns

White Glove Delivery

Product Warranty

Registry Available

Made-to-Order Items

Free Swatches

Designer Collaborations

In-House Design Services

Trade Program

Trade Discount

Brooklyn, New York

2002

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Mid-Century Modern

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

15%

$$

Mid

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Chicago, Illinois

2000

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Organic Modern

The Otto Group

15%

$$$

Mid

Yes

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Sustainability Mission Comparison

West Elm and CB2 both participate in equitable labor programs to ensure their products are ethically sourced. West Elm's programs include Fair Trade USA Certified, Better Cotton Initiative, Craftmark, HERproject, and Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program. These programs focus on providing fair wages and safe working conditions for those involved in the production of their products. CB2 participates in the Fifteen Percent Pledge which is a commitment to support Black-owned businesses by dedicating 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. This program helps promote economic growth within the Black community by providing them with more opportunities for success. Both retailers are committed to creating a more equitable world through their labor programs and have taken steps towards making sure that those involved in the production of their products are treated fairly.
Image source:
West Elm
Image source:
CB2

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

West Elm

CB2

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Warranty

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.

National Hardwood Lumber Association

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Sustainability Mission

West Elm
West Elm is committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. The company sources organic and sustainably sourced materials, such as FSC-certified wood, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. Its products are certified nontoxic and free from harmful chemicals. West Elm also uses handcrafted and local materials, as well as contract grade, low-VOC, reclaimed, recycled, upcycled, water-based finishes, and water efficient materials. By doing so, the company has saved 2.3 billion liters of water in 2019 and kept 66 million plastic bottles out of landfills in 2020.
CB2
CB2 is committed to more responsible materials and sustainable sourcing with quality-tested products, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint while engaging and supporting suppliers in continuous social and environmental improvement. The retailer has partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to offer FSC-certified collections and all catalogs and shopping bags are printed on 100% FSC-certified paper. Textiles are tested to national standards, with nearly 300 CB2 products OEKO TEX® certified. Organic cotton is grown without chemicals or pesticides, reducing CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and water consumption. The Romeoille, Illinois distribution center has been awarded three Green Globes certifications for environmental efficiency and Tracy, California location have installed 100,000 square feet of solar panels. All efforts aim to move towards carbon-neutral operations while being accountable to customers, associates and people who make their products.

Sustainable Product Certifications

West Elm and CB2 offer some certified products. West Elm has a range of certifications including GOTS Certified, FSC Certified, OCS Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Global Recycled Standard, Recycled Claims Standard, Greenguard Gold Certified and REACH. CB2 has fewer certifications with only FSC Certified and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. It is important to note that not all products from these retailers have certifications. Neither retailer is certified themselves if they do not have any product certifications.

West Elm

CB2

FSC Certified

GOTS Certified

OCS Certified

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

EcoTex

Global Recycled Standard

Recycled Claims Standard

Greenguard Gold Certified

SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

REACH

Ecolable

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

West Elm and CB2 both participate in equitable labor programs to ensure their products are ethically sourced. West Elm's programs include Fair Trade USA Certified, Better Cotton Initiative, Craftmark, HERproject, and Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program. These programs focus on providing fair wages and safe working conditions for those involved in the production of their products. CB2 participates in the Fifteen Percent Pledge which is a commitment to support Black-owned businesses by dedicating 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. This program helps promote economic growth within the Black community by providing them with more opportunities for success. Both retailers are committed to creating a more equitable world through their labor programs and have taken steps towards making sure that those involved in the production of their products are treated fairly.

West Elm

CB2

Goodweave

Fair Trade USA

Better Cotton Initiative

Craftmark

HERproject

Nest Ethical Handcraft Program

Fifteen Percent Pledge

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Contributor

Christi Farrell

Christi is a licensed architect and interior designer specializing in sustainability. She enjoys teaching design and bringing transparency to the impact that furniture has on our planet.

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