Furniture Line Made from Recyclable Cardboard

A look at a full set of SmartDeco furniture, also known as the SmartSet. Photo: SmartDeco

Freecyclers know that if you spend enough time around the dumpsters of college dorms come the end of the semester, you’re bound to find a trove of ‘who would throw this out!?’ treasures.

As students move out of their cramped temporary abodes, they head home for the summer or move into bigger, better spaces. That often means they don’t have the time to sell or donate their old things, forcing them to leave them behind in the dumpster.

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One company thinks they’ve found a solution to the throwaway culture associated with dorms. American made SmartDeco takes the idea of the disposable desk, dresser, nightstand and more and turns them sustainable by making their products out of 100 percent recyclable, durable corrugated cardboard by EnviroBoard.

It might sound like a flimsy idea, but SmartDeco says the products are built to last.

“The combined knowledge and experience of our brilliant corrugate designers and engineers is the backbone of SmartDeco’s convenience,” the company says on its website. “Every fold, beam, and angle, is designed to maximize both structural integrity and ease of assembly. Together we’ve created a handsome and aesthetically minimalist collection that revolutionizes the utilization of corrugate cardboard.”

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Each of SmartDeco’s items utilize a middle layer of arcs between smooth pieces of the heavy duty cardboard, making it structurally sound. Unlike cheap furniture alternatives, SmartDeco doesn’t require tools to assemble. Instead, the furniture folds easily, eventually creating seamless furniture. A snap-on “shield” to the tops of the products prevents stains from drinks, writing utensils and more.

Prices for SmartDeco furniture start as low as $43 for a nightstand. An entire set including a desk, dresser and nightstand goes for $153.