REX is a novel recycled plastic chair created by Dutch furniture brand Circuform and it's described as a "deposit chair" that can be returned to the manufacturer after extended use for a partial refund. REX chairs are made from recycled plastic that comes from commonly used items like fishing nets, toothbrushes, office chair pieces and other industrial waste.
Unveiled during Dutch Design Week, REX offers a thoughtful look at the start and end of a product's usable life. The retail price of REX includes a €20 deposit, and it offers a new way to approach the creation of products that are meant to last a lifetime. As designer Ineke Hans says, "Sometimes people only need it for six months. We need a world where we deal with second-hand too."
Circular Plastic Chairs
REX is a Recycled Plastic Chair That Can Be Sold Back to the Manufacturer
Trend Themes
1. Circular Economy - The REX chair's 'deposit' feature encourages manufacturers and consumers to participate in closed-loop systems, promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste.
2. Product as a Service - The concept of REX's deposit system, where customers can return the product for a partial refund, contributes to the trend of selling products as a service instead of a one-time transaction.
3. Upcycling - REX's use of recycled plastics from fishing nets, toothbrushes, and other waste can inspire the fashion, automotive, and construction industries to reimagine traditional materials and reduce waste.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture - The furniture industry can take inspiration from REX's approach to design and production that utilizes recycled materials and encourages customers to return their products for a partial refund.
2. Retail - The retail industry can adopt REX's deposit system and promote a circular economy by taking back used products from customers and reselling or upcycling them.
3. Waste Management - Waste management companies can work with manufacturers like Circuform to create sustainable systems that collect, process, and repurpose waste materials into new products like REX's recycled plastic chairs.