TRANSITIONING TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

This is how to work towards a world without waste

Do you aspire to contribute to a world without waste? A fully circular business model is possible. By applying circular design principles, using material innovations and new manufacturing technologies, producers in the carpet, mattress and furniture industries are already (re)designing products for circularity. They are showing the world how it can be done. These are the key steps to creating products that can be used again and again. Not trashed.
Two pairs of hands holding a piece of carpet in a twisted curve to symbolize a lemniscate and eternal use.

Design with the end in mind

Most recycling is actually downcycling. Ultimately, materials still end up as waste. When selected wisely, materials can be transformed back into equal or similar products. To keep such materials clean, and therefore fit for reuse, repair, remanufacture or recycling, no harmful substances should be added.

Two pairs of hands holding two baby mattresses together to shape an eye, symbolizing material transparency.

Share what’s inside

Moving recyclability from theory to practice starts with material transparency. To be sure of a product's recyclability, you need to know what’s inside. That’s why every product with a Niaga® tag comes with a unique product passport. By scanning the tag, you’ll see exactly what it's made of and how it can be returned.

Two people carrying a giant envelope, symbolizing return.

Return is key

A recyclable product that isn’t returned won’t be recycled. It sounds obvious, yet it’s the biggest obstacle to keeping materials in the loop. That’s why enabling return is the cornerstone of a circular economy. By returning your product, you are safeguarding the valuable materials inside for future generations.
Man standing on mono-polyester carpet role with this hand reaching out and upwards to a woman sitting on a pile of mattresses designed for circularity. She stretches out her arm to the man to help him up.

Ecosystem development

Collaboration is essential: a global movement is what’s needed to move towards a circular economy. Work together with like-minded value chain partners to create and recycle your product. Interdependence and mutual trust are key to success.

Closing the loop

Products designed for circularity that are not returned for reuse, repair, remanufacturing or recycling fail to fulfil their circular promise. To get materials back at the end of each product’s life cycle requires a collective effort throughout the value chain to set up the infrastructure needed to ensure waste streams are turned into material streams. 

Making it real

Carpet, mattress and furniture panels are among the top 10 bulky waste items worldwide. Now manufacturers have successfully redesigned these products to make them healthier and fully recyclable. Such redesigns are all possible thanks to unique Niaga® click-unclick adhesive. 

Mattresses

Designed for circularity they are safer, healthier and more sustainable than the current standard.

Carpets

Made of only one or two materials and using Niaga® click-unclick adhesive to connect the different layers.

Furniture panels

Made from a recyclable core material, with HPL bonded to the panel using Niaga® click-unclick adhesive.

MORE ABOUT CIRCULAR

Niaga® update

It's time to unclick.

Infinite polyester material streams

Niaga® click-unclick adhesives

Design with the end in mind

Product Design Principles