Building skills, restoring confidence
As part of the project, makers ‘learned by doing’, developing practical skills in woodworking, textile work, and product design, often for the first time. By being part of the design process, co-creating products, and with the guidance of experienced makers and designers, they built confidence and a routine, often critical steps on the road to reintegration.
“I was at home due to burnout. Now I’m slowly building up my hours again,” one volunteer from Circulaire Werkplaats Utrecht shared. “My inner fire has been reignited, and I feel ready to move forward again.”
These individual journeys are the real measure of success for the team behind the project. “By working together and tapping into everyone’s unique talents, we create lasting social impact,” said Remko.
A circular vision
This pilot also shows the potential of upcycling as a valuable addition to recycling. While IKEA Netherlands already recycles 88.8% of its waste, some materials—such as advertising banners and mixed materials—are still challenging to recycle and often end up in bulky waste or incinerators. That’s why IKEA views upcycling as a key complement to recycling: by transforming waste directly into new products, it reduces waste and extends the life of materials. Through initiatives such as expanding the second-hand range in the Second Chance corner and creating upcycled items, IKEA aims to make sustainable consumption accessible to more people.
“People want something they can look at and think, ‘Wow, that’s cool!’,” said a project member from IKEA Netherlands. To explore what customers thought about the products made by the social enterprise partners, a limited number were available for viewing and purchase at IKEA Utrecht and IKEA Barendrecht. And customers loved it! Not only are the upcycled products functional, they’re also attractive and full of character. And it’s even better when there’s a story behind them.
