SUSTAINABILITY HAS TO BECOME SIMPLER!

The trend is clear all over the world. More and more people want to make sustainable choices. People want to see what difference they are actually making – and they want proof. That’s why we have to make it easier to understand how sustainability works and the process behind the making of a product. And we have to make it easier to choose.

Johanna Ljunggren, Sustainability manager

These are three key factors that drive the development within public interiors:

1.

A NEW GENERATION CUSTOMERS

A new generation is putting new demands on companies’ sustainability work. The decision-makers of the future won’t be satisfied with buying a label – they want facts.

2.

HIGHER DEMANDS IN PROCUREMENT

Societies, companies and organisations are increasing their demands on sustainability in procurements. As a supplier, you are expected to do more than just ticking the boxes – you have to show that you’re in control of the value chain.

3.

SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATIONS

An increasing number of developers choose to certify they projects according to different sustainability standards, for example LEED. This affects the project in every detail – down to the choice of furniture and fittings.

OUR SOLUTION: THE BETTER EFFECT INDEX

The Better Effect Index is the first comprehensive tool for those who want to make sustainable interior design choices. The tool helps you to identify different sustainability issues and to compare how our products stand up to the requirements. The products are graded in six different areas that create a better effect in your sustainability work.

The Better Effect Index Online Tool

FOUR SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS ACCORDING TO JOHANNA

The rapid development of new innovations and materials is a living proof that sustainability is a subject that engages and inspires many people. Our Sustainability Manager, Johanna Ljunggren takes a look at four strong sustainability trends.

GOOD TO KNOW:

The Better Effect Index will be applied on all brands in the Kinnarps Group (Kinnarps, Drabert, MartinStoll, Materia, NC och Skandiform).

The Better Effect is an Open Source, available to all stakeholders – architects, customers and competitors – meaning that everyone can learn how we’ve assessed our products.

THE SHARING ECONOMY IS GROWING

We’ll soon be seeing pooled solutions inspired by Sunfleet and Über-type apps in the interior design industry as well. Sharing office, office furniture and technical equipment is a time- and cost-effective way of managing resources economically.

NEW MATERIALS

Furniture manufacturers could learn a lot from fashion designers. In the fashion industry they’re experimenting with fibres from bamboo and Swedish pine forests. Pineapple leaves are used instead of leather and 3D-printed shoes are made out of waste plastic from the sea.

VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual Reality has the potential to be an important contributor to CO² reduction. In the future, we’ll be able to offer customers a VR experience instead of asking them to travel to see our products. With VR there’s no need to build expensive exhibitions and showrooms.

LEASING AND RE-USE OF MATERIALS

We are getting much better in reusing materials between different industries and contexts. In the plastics industry it’s already possible to hire different materials and components. Another example is the plastic banks in Peru and Haiti. The local population collect waste plastic and get materials and tools in exchange.