Paper Key : IRJ************580
Author: Shubham Bansal,Harsh Gupta,Jagrati Nigam
Date Published: 06 Jan 2025
Abstract
The global call for sustainability has increased interest in green design and the circular economy, especially in resource-intensive industries like furniture manufacturing. Upcycled furniture, which deals with the conversion of useless materials into a higher-end product, follows these approaches by reducing waste, thereby conserving resources and bringing about sustainable consumption. Observations from circular economy principlesaccording to Kohli's studypoint out the shifting requirement from a linear production model to a regenerative one. Reports in the European Union underline that each year, 10 million tonnes of furniture waste are generated; of this tremendous amount, 80-90% is sent to landfills. India confronts similar challenges, whereby rapid urbanization increases generation of waste.This paper adopts a global perspective in the Indian context, discussing environmental, economic, and social impacts of upcycled furniture. Secondary research from industry reports and case studies reflects growing market potential driven by consumer shifts toward sustainability and affordability, especially among millennials and Gen Z. Using lessons from policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Green Public Procurement already implemented in Europe, the study proposes strategies to scale up India's initiatives in upcycling. The findings highlight the transformative potential of upcycled furniture in advancing India's sustainability goals while addressing the country's challenges in waste management.
DOI LINK : 10.56726/IRJMETS65876 https://www.doi.org/10.56726/IRJMETS65876