From waste to opportunity: Turning leftover materials into lasting impact

What if materials destined for landfills could be turned into beautiful, useful products while also supporting people in gaining valuable work experience? That’s exactly what a pilot project between IKEA Netherlands and local Dutch social enterprises set out to explore. 

Over 300 unique products, including bags, stools, and coffee tables, were handcrafted using more than 260 kilograms of leftover materials from IKEA stores, including banners, textiles, and composite waste that would otherwise be difficult to recycle.   

But the real story goes beyond the products.  

Social inclusion at the heart  

The project, supported by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, is a collaboration between IKEA Barendrecht and Utrecht stores, and five social enterprise partners: ONZE Fabriek, Circulaire Werkplaats Utrecht, Rotterdam Inclusief, Impact Hub Amsterdam, and Het Goed.

Together, they worked with 24 makers from social learning and work programmes, who often face barriers to employment due to mental health challenges, long-term unemployment, or a lack of formal qualifications. The makers were involved at every stage, from material sorting and design brainstorming to prototyping and making the final products.  

Vincent from Circulaire Werkplaats Utrecht shared, “For me, working with wood is meaningful. My goal was to finish this project even when things got tough. And I did it!”  

Others echoed the sense of pride and purpose. “When I’m behind my sewing machine, I’m happy. I don’t think about problems anymore,” said Omar from Rotterdam Inclusief. 

“What makes this project really special is the combination of design, sustainability and social impact,” pointed out Remko Verhaagen, Founder of ONZE Fabriek.

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. 

 

A model for scaling  

The project is a pilot, but its impact suggests a model worth scaling. With the right partnerships and support, circular design can create meaningful employment, contribute to a more inclusive society, and reduce waste.  

IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is proud to contribute to making that vision a reality, supporting initiatives like this one globally, and showing how business can be a force for good.  

As Remko puts it: “If you work together, embracing everyone’s talents and vulnerabilities you can make it happen. Alone, you never could. That’s why I’m so proud of this project.”