The World's First Recycling Mall, Up-cycling & the Circular Economy

Recently I saw a post on Facebook about a place called Återbruksgallerian in Eskilstuna (Sweden). Apparently it is the first and only recycled and up-cycled mall in the world.

 Well, that piqued my interest no end. So I decided to visit it and see what it was like for myself...

Anyone that knows me also knows that I'm passionate about the environment and a huge advocate of the circular economy, that is to say, not digging up resources, making stuff, using it then throwing it away. I think it is better to reuse things that already exist, fix them or turn them into other things, than to to just throw all that great stuff away...I mean what a waste!

Firstly I am so impressed by the idea of this place and by the vision of the people that made it happen. But the place itself, well, there are many great things about it but also areas to improve.

The cafe was excellent, cheap and really great food, definitely a recommend...

I was also really impressed with the florists shop. It had a great combination of old plant pots and second hand garden stuff, along with gorgeous flowers and all in a really well decorated space. You didn't feel like you were in a second hand shop at all...

 

The one thing the place lacked was a sense of creative potential. The up-cycled stuff were just old bits of furniture given a fresh lick of white or grey paint. There wasn't an aspirational feeling, not inspiring in the sense that the stuff looks amazing. Only inspiring in the sense that this stuff is getting a fresh lease of life, which is no small thing of course, but I wanted more...

To give you an idea of what I mean by creative potential and what is possible, just check out these amazing up cycled works of art and craft...

plates from Angioletti Designs

But not just pretty china, what about crappy broken china? No problem! Do this...

pic from www.cooperhewitt.org

And the many things you can do with old pallets...

or old oars...

And if you like the industrial look...what about a corrugated iron headboard?

And I haven't even started on all the cool things you can do with old chests of drawers and cupboards....

Want something fun for the kids? How about a dolls house? no problem..

made by Larotska

Or a mini kitchen?

The thing is that most of these projects require a bit of expertise in the crafty department, and that is what I feel was missing at Återbruksgallerian...

I think people need to be inspired by up-cycling, to see the possibilities and actually see things that are desirable. I'm not just talking about 'doing the right thing' by buying a second hand pair of skates instead of going and buying a new pair...I'm talking about newly made things from discarded items. Up-cycled things have more soul and individuality than mass produced store bought stuff and I want to see 'designer up-cycled' stuff alongside the second hand clothing and furniture...

You should go there if you can. Eat some of the great cakes in the cafe then wander around, pick up some bargains and think of our future..