Case Studies
Sustainable Design Courses
The Problem
There’s a lack of environmental education tailored to interior designers and suppliers. With demanding workloads and tight deadlines, it is almost impossible for them to keep on top of rapidly changing innovations, materiality, standards, and targets.
What We Did
CDT launched an in-person three-day workshops in the Eastern states of Australia. The participants were given the foundation and tools to embrace sustainability in their scheduling and communication with suppliers. The DIA supported the courses with CPD points for attendees. Koskela, Cult and Jardan also showed their support by hosting the program in their Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne showrooms.
The Results
The workshops provided interior designers and suppliers with the necessary knowledge and tools to integrate sustainability into their work - potentially leading to a more significant impact on sustainable design practices in the industry. Additionally, the support from industry leaders like Koskela, Cult, and Jardan facilitated wider accessibility to the program. The DIA is partnering with CDT to create online courses through their platform. And due to the popularity and request for more courses, CDT has launched The Circular Classroom.
Textile Skill Shortages for the Circular Economy
The Problem
The Australian Furnishings Association (AFA) identified a pressing issue within the industry: a significant skill shortage, particularly in upholstery and textile fabrication. This shortage is exacerbated by the imminent retirement of many experienced upholsterers. Across various sectors such as Furniture, Boating, Automotive, and Specialist Textiles, there are alarming labour shortages leading to delays, order backlogs, and challenges in finding qualified employees.
What We Did
CDT was enlisted as the Product Resource Designer for the Victorian Government's "Take a Seat with Us" program, initiated by AFA. This program aims to address the skill shortage by providing students with hands-on experience in upholstery and textile fabrication, offering them a glimpse into the local industry's workings. Additionally, the program seeks to connect students with potential employers who are eager to hire motivated individuals.
The Results
Through the "Take a Seat with Us" program, students gain practical insights into the upholstery and textile fabrication sectors, potentially sparking interest and addressing the industry's skill shortage. By bridging the gap between students and employers, the program aims to alleviate labour shortages and support businesses in meeting their growing workload demands. To date, each cohort has been filled with eager students.
Campaign for Take a Seat with Us | What’s Your UpholStory? created by Paulie Fenton on behalf of the Victorian Government.
National Product Stewardship Flooring Pilot
The Problem
Resilient flooring in Australia is contributing significantly to landfill waste, with an estimated 60,000 tonnes discarded annually, including 9,000 tonnes of pristine, unused material. This waste poses environmental challenges and underscores the need for a sustainable solution to manage flooring waste.
What We Did
CDT was commissioned by the Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA) to spearhead the ResiLoop initiative. As part of our role, CDT project managed the national test pilot on behalf of ARFA. With funding from the Australian Government's National Product Stewardship Investment Fund, we directed the design, implementation, and evaluation of trials for the scheme, ensuring efficient and effective execution.
The Results
Through diligent project management of the national test pilot, CDT facilitated the engagement of stakeholders across the supply chain, conducted vital research, and tested various approaches to reverse logistics - with a success rate of 1% contamination. This groundwork has culminated in the development of a second trial for the national scheme, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and circular economy in Australia's flooring sector.
Pre-Consumer Textile Waste in Furnishing Products
The Problem
At the time of the report, there was a significant lack of published data regarding textile waste specifically in the local manufacture of seating and drapery. Existing literature on textile waste primarily focused on fashion, and information on dismantling furnishings for recycling was mostly theoretical. Without industry insight, understanding the scale of waste generated in furniture production and how to effectively manage it was challenging. Thus, there was a lack of practical solutions to address the substantial amounts of waste being produced.
What We Did
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) enlisted CDT to conduct research on the local manufacture of upholstery and drapery, specifically focusing on textile waste. The methodology involved interviews with local manufacturers, fabric houses, councils, recycling companies, and material suppliers. Additionally, desktop research was conducted to gather information on furnishing textile waste and furniture dismantling.
The Results
The research aimed to map out and identify the implications of pre-consumer textile waste in furnishing production. Findings revealed that regardless of order size or furnishing type, approximately 3-5% of textiles became waste, during production. Recycling of this waste was found to be challenging due to infrastructure limitations and the cost comparison between recycling and landfill disposal. The study highlighted the need for collaboration between manufacturers and relevant bodies to develop strategies and best practices for waste management, emphasising the importance of addressing waste at the design and production stages to mitigate its impact. Report: Weaving the Waste Out of Furnishings
Commercial Sustainable Materials for Fit-Outs
The Problem
Within the Australian interior design industry, there has been a lack of emphasis on sustainability, with limited platforms showcasing truly sustainable furniture, products, and materials. Additionally, there has been a need for clearer guidelines and standards regarding sustainability transparency in design exhibitions.
What We Did
CDT was invited by Decor + Design, the Australian interior design trade show, to design and curate the Green Design Hub for 2023. This initiative aimed to elevate the availability of sustainable materials within the interiors industry currently in Australia. By designing the stand and carefully selecting products that exemplify environmental practices. CDT proved that sustainable practices are possible here and now. All products transported to the Green Design Hub had their carbon emissions tracked to be offset. Each piece exhibited was also tracked for its end-of-life solution. All waste was captured for the stand, to prove transparency.
The Results
Due to the success and popularity of the Green Design Hub, event managers decided to create the inaugural Green Design Show, to feature leading brands from across the Australian green design space. CDT provided sustainability guidelines to govern the Green Design Show, ensuring exhibitors meet requirements for sustainable transparency of products and overall sustainability practices.
The Green Design Hub and the subsequent Green Design Show serve as essential platforms for promoting sustainability within the Australian design industry for effective circular change.
Official partners of the show are: GBCA, Green Magazine, The Local Project, Authentic Design Alliance and CDT as the official sustainability advisor.
Space Furniture engaged CDT to audit their carbon footprint.
Space Furniture’s Carbon Journey
Space Furniture was established in 1983 and is known to be a progressive and respected design retailer. Space has five architect-designed purpose built showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Space engaged CDT to audit their operations and three of their top selling products, which were showcased at Melbourne Design Week in 2022.
Space Furniture continues to work with CDT on their sustainability journey.