Development of a Framework for Circular Economy within Furniture Manufacturing Companies

Sammanfattning: AbstractThe fast spreading industrialization revolution around the world has resulted in a rapid cycle of production and consumption of resources. Resulting in sustainable solutions being a fundamental need and resolutions which include efficient resources use. The concept of Circular Economy includes specific practices which take into consideration reusing resources through sustainable solutions resulting in the minimization of waste as well as the use of resources more efficiently. This study shows that organization approach circular economy in different ways, resulting in various definitions. Furthermore, the study emphasizes on the importance of developing a framework for circular economy when seeking to implement the concept. This research aims to develop a framework for the implementation of circular economy in consideration to furniture manufacturing companies. Furthermore, this research focuses on four theories: circular economy, sustainable solution, resource efficiency, and product End-of-Life (product EoL). A mixed method approach consisting of a semi-structured interview and a survey were used to help reach the aim of this study. The results from the interview two furniture manufacturing companies show that the companies use different aspects of the circular economy. In conclusion, companies with goals of being more sustainable should start considering circular economy principles from an early stage. This includes having a strict rule of only approving environmentally friendly materials. This also leads to the benefit that the practices of refurbishing and reusing allows for products to live for numerous lifetimes