How we make and use products and how we produce food generates almost half of the emissions in our current economic system, as the production of goods and infrastructure generates emissions all along the value chain. Therefore, the circular economy is inherently cross-sectoral and requires engagement with stakeholders across value chains in pursuit of innovations that contribute to resilient and low-carbon local economies.

This societal challenge requires a broad set of skills that is currently lacking in our increasingly specialized society and education. It is therefore crucial that learners at all levels learn to collaborate, to solve ill-structured, complex problems that they get confronted with, by dividing them into smaller, doable tasks. Being able to create criteria and come to decisions is also a valuable future skill.

In this particular challenge, TUHH together with HiiCCE Hamburg Institute of Innovations in Climate protection and Circular Economy GmbH and the interreg project https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/ceo are taking a closer look on the transition of the office furniture sector towards a circular economy. As in the office furniture sector many resources are still being wasted and new office furniture is usually not designed for reuse, repair, refurbishment or recycling. At the same time, the way we work is changing rapidly and constantly and requires office furniture that is modular, adaptable and recyclable.

We are inviting learners to engage on particular, self-chosen aspects of this challenge, always taking into account their individual interests and ideas. This could be design, materials, refurbish, the creation of eco-balance evaluations or even health aspects.