Circular Economy: Designing A New Seater Using Upcycled Material

Abstract

The furniture industry largely depends on linear production systems, contributing to resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill waste. This research explores the design and development of a seater using upcycled materials guided by circular economy principles, including reuse, repairability, and disassembly. The study proposes a material sourcing framework from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, and a modular design methodology that enhances product longevity and end-of-life recovery. A prototype seater was developed and evaluated for material diversion, carbon footprint reduction, durability, functional performance, and circularity. Findings indicate that upcycled seating can match conventional furniture in usability and aesthetics while significantly reducing environmental impact. Challenges such as material variability, supply logistics, and consumer perception are discussed, and strategies for scaling circular furniture production are proposed.