# Eco-Friendly Dorm Furniture Our Paper Life Offers Students Sturdy and Cheap Desks and Shelves By Meghan Young | Published 2011-08-28 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/our-paper-life References: [core77](http://www.core77.com/blog/furniture_design/our_paper_life_100_recyclable_cardboard_furniture_20356.asp) & [ourpaperlife](http://ourpaperlife.com/) Cardboard furniture is nothing new -- it has come in many shapes and forms over the last couple of years -- yet there is something about Our Paper Life that sets it apart. Not only does Our Paper Life offer sustainable, eco-friendly pieces at a low cost, they actually look like typical, albeit basic, dorm room furniture. The [desk and shelf designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tobifant) don't look like they were crafted out of cardboard, and there are no unnecessary embellishments to make them stand out. Founded and designed by recent [Ontario University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-conservatory) graduates Geoff Christou and Chris Porteous, Our Paper Life specifically targets Canadian students living the dorm life. At only $20 apiece, the desk and shelf are water resistant, lightweight, [flatpacked](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eilersen) and can be assembled with the use of any tools. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Dorm Furniture:** Opportunity for creating eco-friendly furniture specifically designed for dorm rooms. - **Disguised Cardboard Design:** Opportunity to create cardboard furniture that looks like traditional dorm room furniture. - **Affordable and Easy Assembly:** Opportunity to develop furniture that is low-cost and can be easily assembled without the need for tools. ### Who This Affects Most - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for furniture manufacturers to incorporate sustainable materials into dorm furniture. - **Sustainable Packaging:** Opportunity for packaging companies to create flatpacked, water-resistant packaging for easy assembly and transport of furniture. - **Student Living Services:** Opportunity for companies in the student living industry to offer affordable and sustainable dorm furniture as part of their services. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cardboard Box Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karton-furniture-collection.md) - [Collapsible Flatpack Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edo-side-table.md) - [Cardboard Box-Transformed Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/box-exhibition.md) - [Customizable Student Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/make-it-your-own-furniture.md) - [Waste-Based Furniture Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-furniture1.md) - [Space-Saving Foldable Desks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foldable-desk1.md) - [Grow-at-Home Sponge Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sponge-furniture.md) - [Hyper-Customizable Desks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hypercustomizable-desk.md) - [Eco-Friendly Styrofoam Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/we.md)