Product service systems: reconsideration of the way in which furniture manufacturers sell their product offers the potential to decouple producers’ business success from the amount of products sold. By creating value from the provision of additional service rather than additional product, it is possible to create greater economic benefit simultaneously with reduced environmental impact. UK manufacturers are much better placed than importers to offer higher value product service systems

Environmental design for furniture: consideration of environmental issues during the design of the product is integral to achieving material reduction, choosing environmentally sound raw materials, enabling the reuse of components and facilitating cost effective remanufacture. Again, the competitive advantage of such research should accrue to UK manufacturers

Material evaluation: the characteristics of end of life furniture will determine the suitability and availability of material for remanufacture. This work package seeks to estimate the EOL material arisings from office and contract furniture over the next 25 years, with the identification of key variables such as material type, method of construction, batch sizes etc.

Remanufacturing: this option offers an attractive route for material which is surplus to reuse requirements. It involves converting used furniture into new products. Early involvement in remanufacturing will give project participants a competitive edge with regard to the provision of value added services to customers

Sustainable consumption: furniture purchasers have the potential to influence the supply chain by demanding environmentally sound products and services. Furthermore, such purchasers can also specify a constructive end of life outlet for their used furniture. The project will enable UK furniture manufacturers to participate in the creation of an environmental impact evaluation tool which can be adapted by their designers