Malmö Upcycling Service turns leftover material into design objects
By Åse Hanna Waern
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it is becoming a central focus in design and production practices. Swedish design studio Malmö Upcycling Service is taking a unique approach to sustainability by focusing on reusing leftover materials from local manufacturers. Instead of allowing valuable materials to end up as waste, this innovative studio based in Malmö is breathing new life into them, creating a sort of model for circular production and sustainable design processes.
The studio’s approach to design is rooted in a deep respect for resources, where the focus is not just on creating aesthetically pleasing items, but on rethinking the lifecycle of materials. By reusing and upcycling materials from local manufacturers, the studio embodies the principles of circular design, where the materials are given a second life rather than contributing to waste.
Pia Högman, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, 2021. Image courtesy of Malmö Upcycling Service.
Anna Gudmundsdottir, a member of Malmö Upcycling Service, emphasized when doing an interview a few years back that this form of reusing materials and rethinking production is the only way forward. She advocates for sustainability to be woven into the very fabric of every design project, rather than being tacked on at the end. In doing so, designers can create better products that offer consumers more sustainable choices.
Gudmundsdottir also mentioned that Swedish designers and the nation as a whole are well-positioned to become global educators in the field of sustainability and circular economies. By showcasing successful examples of sustainable design, Sweden can inspire other nations to adopt similar principles and rethink their own production practices.
In the spirit of this mindset, Malmö Upcycling Service has spent years building a “library” of leftover materials from local manufacturers, gathered through study visits and frequent dialogue with companies. This network allows the studio to tap into the knowledge and techniques developed over decades of Swedish industrial production. The result? Rather than creating new materials, they work with existing resources and craftsmanship traditions, breathing new life into what would otherwise be thrown away as waste. Malmö Upcycling Service's latest exhibition, Last Minute, showcases a powerful new collection developed in collaboration with seven other Swedish designers. The brief for this project was to create radical designs using entirely upcycled industrial waste and leftover materials. But Last Minute is not just a collection—it's a call to action for the entire design industry to change how we produce and consume materials. The exhibition was made at a crucial moment in our planet's history, as the World Meteorological Organization stated that 2021 was a "make-or-break year for climate action." The manufacturing industry is responsible for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the urgency to find sustainable solutions has never been higher.
Ebba Lindgren, Really Rococò, 2023. Image courtesy of Malmö Upcycling Service.
The aim of the Last Minute collection is to inspire industries to rethink the value of materials and explore how they can be reused to better utilize the planet's resources. The designers involved in the project are sending a clear message: the world needs many solutions, and everyone has a role to play in our fight against climate change. Through their innovative designs, Malmö Upcycling Service hopes to ignite broader conversations about the need for systemic change in production practices.
As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, Malmö Upcycling Service’s approach to design offers a promising solution. By rethinking how materials are sourced, used, and repurposed, the studio demonstrates the power of circular economies in the design world. Their work serves as a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about changing the way we think about design and consumption altogether.
Jóna Berglind, PlusPlus, 2021. Image courtesy of Malmö Upcycling Service
Åse Hanna Waern is a Swedish designer specializing in interior and graphic design, currently based in Rome. Her passion for the future of Swedish design began with her Master’s thesis, where she explored its evolving direction and potential. Since then, she has continued to investigate and write about contemporary Nordic aesthetics, now bringing her insights to All FAD with a special series on emerging Swedish designers.
