How Does Vitra Keep Its Furniture in Circulation?

00:01:20 – Circularity: bringing ecological and economic sustainability together

00:06:56 – The three pillars of the Vitra Circle for Contract

00:08:14 – Sourcing used furniture: take-back and selection

00:13:14 – 2,500 office chairs: from take-back to reuse

00:15:12 – What happens during chair refurbishment

00:18:59 – Business viability, quality and warranties

00:27:06 – Communication, environmental claims and digital product passports

00:32:22 – CO2 savings from refurbished furniture

00:34:17 – What refurbishment teaches us about good product design

00:42:33 – Advice for companies: experiment and use existing resources

Circularity has to work commercially
Vitra Circle for Contract combines product take-back, refurbishment and resale. Whether the model works environmentally and economically depends, among other things, on enough suitable products being returned in sufficient volumes, as well as on logistics and customer demand.

Quality and lasting relevance are key to longevity
Keller says many Vitra classics have remained relevant  for decades. Durable materials and replaceable upholstery make them easier to refurbish. But older products were not always designed for efficient refurbishment at scale, which makes the manufacturer’s expertise particularly important.

Shared components allow model conversion
Despite their different appearances, the Aluminium Chair and Soft Pad Chair use the same aluminium parts. Keller says this means one can be converted into the other, showing how thoughtful construction and shared components can support reuse.

Refurbishment can significantly reduce CO2 emissions
Keller estimates that refurbishment cuts emissions by 60 to 90 per cent on average compared with a new product in the same configuration.  Testing helps ensure quality, while reliable information about materials and disassembly information can make future refurbishment more efficient.