apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Perhaps some kind of combination of stuffing made from recyclables? Is there something that's generally not considered recyclable which running it through a paper shredder could render it into a form that could make good stuffing without ruining the shredder? Something to think about.

what about organic wool or cotton batting?

Sounds a bit crazy, but my mother used to stuff pillows and fabric dolls with old pantyhose. Probably too lumpy and inconsistent for the seat itself, but would work nicely for the throw pillows.

Has anyone tried using that recycled-jean looking cotton insulation for this sort of thing?

Use an old futon cusion or batting from an old comforter (you can have them remade too to fluff it back up). Or if you live near the water and hence near boat stores, custom upholstery stores for boats might have left over materials you could have free or cheap- furniture ones might as well.

I made something very similar using an old feather bed for the seat cushion. I covered it in a thrift-store table-cloth.

Not so green on the wood, though. I used MDF (but it was from the scrap bin!)

I've posted it at www.maydecemberhome.blogspot.com/2007/09/build-your-own-banquette.html

Thanks, Jonathan, for letting me post the link!