One issue customers have with IKEA wares, is the take-it-home-and-build-it nature of the majority of items they sell. Once thought of as a necessary drawback to the concept of flat pack furniture, Way Basics does away with the notion that in order to have modular furniture at an affordable price one has to grapple with an allen wrench. By introducing a line of ‘no tools’ furniture for kids, made from recycled post-consumer materials, Way Basics is attempting to save green parents a lot of trouble.
At the heart of the Way Basics concept is a material which they call zBoard. If you think zBoard looks a lot like the super strong cardboard used to package and ship industrial machinery, you’re not far off. “It took us 10 years to perfect the ingenious building-block zBoards at the heart of our business,” reads the website. “Our patented, environmentally sound manufacturing process turns post-consumer recycled paper into superbly strong boards that weigh 62% less than particle board.”
Reviewing the Possibility Series, with its colorful, modular boxes, it is easy to see how functional a simple cube can be. On the one hand, it can be used for the obvious… storage. On the other, Way Basics suggests using the cubes as kiddie stools that are the perfect height to pull up to the Square Table (sold as a set for $135). They’ve also added revolving plates to a Trofast-like tower in order to add a fun, animated element ($69). “Kids love to store their toys in this inventive piece.” And for those who’d like to make their eco-choice obvious, have a look at the limited edition Kraft Series.
Way Basics pieces start at $20 (that’s not a typo).
Interesting stylish product.
Does this product use any adhesives or glue? How about the paint, what is it made of?
Does it offgas any VOCs?
Hi EasyEco, to answer your question, here is a note from Jimmy Chiang, the company’s CEO: “The zBoard does use glue in construction, but there is no formaldehyde and off gassing. It’s an eco resin. The zBoards are also not painted. It’s a paper veneer where the ink is embedded into the paper. Also no VOC and off-gassing.”