sustainability

Model No. Launches With Made-to-Order, Upcycled Furniture

Can Model No. become the first zero-waste furniture brand?
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@modelno.furniture

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When I say “used couch,” you picture a lumpy Craigslist two-seater with mysterious yellow stains. But now, “used” is another word for “upcycled.”

Introducing Model No., a new brand that primarily 3D prints furniture from food waste.

  • Every item Model No. stocks is made to order—meaning the brand doesn’t hold (or later destroy) inventory.
  • Around 95% of Model No.’s materials are sourced in the U.S., CEO Phillip Raub told Retail Brew.

Why it’s innovative: Apparel brands are increasingly experimenting with deadstock fabrics or upcycled materials, but furniture hasn’t quite caught up. Meanwhile, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of nonrecyclable furniture in an average year, per EPA data.

And Model No. wants every purchase to be a fully circular experience. It will later accept previous brand purchases to recycle and create new furniture from the same materials. Some furniture brands have tried similar programs: Ikea is currently testing a used furniture buyback program...but it’s not available in every market.

Bottom line: “We see ourselves as being the first zero waste furniture company in the world,” Raub said. Your move, West Elm.

Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know

Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.

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