From trash to treasure

Sammanfattning: Today we wear and tear objects and materials, in line with the linear economy. By instead reusing, the need for new production decreases, and so the extraction of raw materials, greenhouse gas emissions and generation of waste. By increasing the reuse rate, we can strive towards a circular economy and climb EUs waste hierarchy. The aim of this master’s dissertation was to study different business models for neighbourhood close reuse centres in Sweden to identify successful strategies, related to increasing the reuse rate. Furthermore, this dissertation also aimed to investigate the opportunities for the reuse centre ReTuren in Malmö to improve its business model. Seven businesses were identified and interviewed. Successful strategies showed to integrate both social and environmental sustainability aspects, for example by offer free activities: exchange corner, workshops, lending of tools and repair equipment. It is also of great importance to place the reuse centre where people pass by. Regarding ReTuren, a survey was sent to visitors, and the results showed that there is a wish for improvements. Compared to the successful strategies, ReTuren has potential for improvements by offering more workshops, lending of tools and a better organised exchange corner. Lastly, the business models and its different successful strategies were compared to make a template of the best neighbourhood close reuse centre, in terms of contributing to an increased interest for reuse and an increased reuse rate. When conducting a reuse centre, the previous mentioned successful strategies should be taken into account. It is also of great importance that municipalities prioritise and encourage reuse among the population by providing reuse centres close to different neighbourhoods.