Driven by their pursuit of ever-greater sustainability goals, many of the industry’s top R&D departments are now adopting the same strategy: work backwards. By re-evaluating what happens to a rug or a piece of furniture after it hits the curb, manufacturers are introducing examples of circular design that prioritize the lifespan of our planet over their own individual permanence.

Mind you, this is not to say that they are creating throwaway designs. Indeed, this new generation of environmentally responsible statement pieces prides itself on being no less durable, comfortable or attractive than its predecessors — it just has the added benefit of also being easily composted or recycled when the time comes. Here are three examples of how manufacturers are embracing circular design, step by step.

“Catifa Carta is more than just a product — it’s a powerful driver that pushes us to adopt even more sustainable practices across our entire business, steering us toward a more responsible future.”

— Andrea Mulloni, head of sustainability, Arper

1. Start with a classic

Back in 2001, Arper’s Catifa 53 chair (designed by Lievore Altherr Molina) was its first product with an environmental declaration. For the company’s latest sustainability milestone, it set out to reimagine the popular seating in an innovative new material: PaperShell.

2. Put paper to work

PaperShell uses natural resin to bind 29 sheets of paper (themselves made from wood production residue) into a strong cellulose fibre composite. Arper is the first design company to put the Swedish start-up’s heat- and water-resistant material to use for furniture.

3. Loop back around

At the end of a Catifa Carta chair’s life, Arper will take it back to turn its shell into biochar through a special burning process that prevents the release of the CO₂ locked inside. When mixed with soil, this biochar stimulates new plant growth — restarting the whole cycle.

“Sustainability has been deeply rooted in our Danish DNA since 1938. By using the latest technology, we are reinventing carpets to live fully circular and remain out of landfills and burn piles forever.”

— Alex Lerian,
general manager, Ege Carpets Americas

1. Turn trash into treasure

Ege Carpets flooring earns Cradle to Cradle certification in part for its eco-friendly mix of materials: yarn from old fishing nets, Ecotrust or acoustic backings made from used plastic bottles, and recycled PVB adhesives made from discarded or broken car windows. 

2. Rewrite the endgame

But Ege also tackles another major environmental hurdle. Recognizing that many countries only recycle between one and three per cent of carpets, the Danish brand launched CircleBack. The takeback program began in Europe and will expand to the U.S. this year, and there are plans to eventually extend it globally.

3. Stay transparent

By recycling at least 98 per cent of a rug’s components, Ege’s CircleBack program cuts a carpet’s end-of-life CO₂ emissions by up to 60 per cent. When the process is complete, the manufacturer issues clients a certificate detailing the exact CO₂ reduction.

“When Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen approached us with their hemp chair project, we were immediately curious. Curiosity — along with a commitment to new and innovative production methods — has always been a driver for Normann Copenhagen.”

— Jan Andersen,
co-founder and CEO, Normann Copenhagen

1. Spark sea change

Danish studio Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen spent over 20 years prototyping a bio-based chair before finally striking the right balance of sturdiness and beauty with Mat. Some of the range’s shells are made entirely from hemp, while others mix in dried eelgrass seaweed for a darker finish.

2. Respect your materials

Knowing that eelgrass is an important part of marine life, Normann Copenhagen only harvests it after it has already washed ashore. The eelgrass and hemp stems are then shredded to create a textural, homogeneous surface that highlights their natural beauty.

3. Anticipate next steps

A recyclable binding agent allows Mat’s core materials to be formed into sheets that are then compressed and moulded before being finished with VOC-free linseed oil. This production process ensures chairs can someday be shredded back down and remade once they’re beyond repair.