Circular Beds Project: Redesigning the Future of Bed Bases

At the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC), we believe in driving change through innovation and collaboration. Under our Redesign strategic pillar, we’re excited to provide an update on the ‘Circular Beds’ project—a pioneering initiative that brings circular economy principles to bed base design.

A Vision for a Waste-Free Future

The ‘Circular Beds’ project was born from a critical question: how can we redesign bed bases to keep them out of landfill and make them truly sustainable? Recognising the difficulty in recycling conventional bed bases, which often end up shredded or discarded, we saw an opportunity to set a new standard by creating a product that prioritises reusability and circularity.

Thanks to two grants from Sustainability Victoria and funding from the ABSC, the project has evolved from concept to commercial-ready design, positioning it as a key part of Australia’s commitment to a waste-free future.

Project Origins and Inspiration

The Circular Beds project emerged against a backdrop of challenges in the bedding industry:

  • Bed bases are notoriously hard to recycle, often ending up in landfills.
  • Timber shortages during the pandemic complicated sourcing new materials.
  • There was a reluctance to use reclaimed timber for bed base production.

Our breakthrough moment came when Tracey Pryor, our Director of Innovation, reached out to ROBOVOID—a company known for its innovations in the construction industry— to suggest applying their void system technology to bed base design. This led to a vision for a product made from recycled materials, capable of modular repair, and easily recyclable at end-of-life.

ROBOVOID and Swinburne University, with the support of the ABSC, secured the first Sustainability Victoria grant to develop and prototype this circular design.

What makes the bed base circular?

Typically, bed bases are constructed from virgin timber, bolted together, and covered in fabric affixed with multiple staples. This mix of materials is notoriously difficult and costly to recycle as it is labour intensive. By using recycled plastic for the bed bases, we avoid using virgin materials and divert plastics from landfill. Additionally, this recycled plastic is sourced within Australia, unlike many other bed base materials that are often imported and made from virgin resources.

The Circular Beds bed base is also designed for durability, resisting mould, odour, and pests. It’s easy to clean and sterilize for reuse, which significantly extends its lifespan and counters the disposability culture. At the end of its life, the bed base can be fully recycled, maintaining its utility within the circular economy and helping reduce both bedding waste and waste management costs.

From Concept to Commercialisation

The initial grant allowed ROBOVOID to ideate, prototype, and test. Now, a second Sustainability Victoria grant, with contributions from the ABSC and Social Living, is paving the way for commercial outcomes. The design has been refined, commissioning of new tooling completed, improvements in the assembly process and creating a textile cover, all which complements the bed base’s sustainability ethos.

To support further refining the design of the bed bases, there are currently three trials ongoing. One trial is in student accommodation, another in a social housing environment, and the third in a First Nation’s community in the Northern Territory.

The invitation only launch event for Circular Beds is set for November 19, 2024, where ROBOVOID will showcase the product’s potential to reshape the bedding industry.

Overcoming Challenges and Driving Innovation

The journey hasn’t been without its hurdles:

  • Numerous iterations of the design required additional tooling for precision.
  • Simplifying the engineering process for faster assembly and improved aesthetics was crucial.
  • Getting the bedding industry to embrace this innovative design initially posed a challenge.
  • Concerns about using plastic have been addressed by focusing on reusing existing plastic materials, ensuring they remain in circulation for multiple product lifecycles.

Our approach has been one of collaboration, idea-sharing, and iterative development, involving key players like Social Living, GT Recycling, Haven Home Safe, Unilodge, AH Beard, and the Remote OpShop Project. Together, we are transforming challenges into opportunities and setting a new benchmark for sustainable bed base design.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for the launch, we’re grateful for the support and contributions from our partners. The Circular Beds project embodies the ABSC’s dedication to innovation and sustainability, and we look forward to sharing this journey with the industry and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to introducing a product that promises to redefine how we think about bed bases and their role in a sustainable future.

By sharing this journey, we hope to inspire others in the industry to rethink conventional practices and embrace circular economy principles.

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