{"id":53223,"date":"2025-12-17T11:03:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T10:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/?post_type=project&p=53223"},"modified":"2026-01-09T08:32:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T07:32:25","slug":"circular-furniture-flows-digital-support-for-reuse-in-the-public-sector","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/en\/projects\/circular-furniture-flows-digital-support-for-reuse-in-the-public-sector","title":{"rendered":"Circular Furniture Flows \u2013 Digital Support for Reuse in the Public Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The project Circular Furniture Flows aims to increase furniture reuse in the public sector.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Problem<\/h2>\n
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Public procurement accounts for nearly one fifth of Sweden\u2019s GDP,<\/a> with substantial sums spent on furniture and interior fittings. Yet only about 1 percent<\/a> of procurements involve reused furniture. A key barrier is the lack of oversight and data. Municipalities often do not know what furniture they own, how long it has been in use, or what can be reused. Information is spread across different systems \u2013 or missing entirely \u2013 and much of it is lost when furniture is moved between offices, schools, and storage facilities.<\/p>\n

The Roadmap for Public Procurement 2025\u20132030<\/a> highlights the need for more innovative and circular purchasing. At the same time, the EU is introducing Digital Product Passports (DPPs), which can enable new business models. The Circular Furniture Flows project addresses the gap between these ambitions and the day-to-day realities of municipalities.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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If reuse is to become the norm in the public sector, it must be just as easy to procure as buying new \u2013 and profitable for the companies that base their business on circular furniture flows.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Johanna Olofsson Behrman, Project Manager, Future Materials, Axfoundation<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Our solution<\/h2>\n
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The project lays the groundwork for a pilot demonstrating how reuse can become both a standard choice for municipalities and a viable, sustainable business model for small and medium-sized reuse companies. A core element of the solution is giving furniture a digital identity that follows each item over time. With a digital ID, municipalities can more easily inventory what furniture they have, how long it has been in use, and which items are suitable for reuse or refurbishment.<\/p>\n

Circular Furniture Flows<\/em> also explores the conditions for a simple, shared \u201ccommon language\u201d for data that all actors can use. This makes it possible to match supply with demand and reduces the administrative burden for small reuse companies seeking to sell to the public sector. At the same time, the project examines key performance indicators for reuse rates, lifespan, cost efficiency, and climate impact \u2013 so that reuse becomes a measurable and manageable part of the procurement process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Did you know that …<\/h2>\n
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