Does this “new line” of furniture not promote the consumer’s search for “that one piece that I just MUST have”? What happens if Artek runs out of used Aalto stools, for instance—do we go back to buying the newly-made ones, rather than settling for another, just-as-good-if-not-as-classic second-hand stool? Jill, I know this sounds like splitting hairs, but since you advocate 2nd Cycle as representationally significant, then I feel I must argue along the same lines.

Also, could this not popularize a fashion of distressed, second-hand furniture offered by “first-hand” companies that leaves a troubling door open to greenwashing? I don’t think this would be Artek’s fault, but unless people aren’t careful, this could end up like those ridiculous pre-torn and -dirtied jeans; people buying something new that’s made to look well-used and old, all to pass off as more authentic.

Would I be wrong in suspecting the furniture company as trying to muscle in on second-hand retail?

Finally, if Artek sells its 2nd Cycle line at the same (high) price (or more) as its new furniture—and I’m only speculating here, since I can’t find the prices anywhere—when they probably bought it for $5 from someone who doesn’t even know who Alvar Aalto is, that is frankly insulting to their customers. Let furniture companies continue to design and manufacture useful and beautiful new products and try to find ways to do so more sustainably, recognizing that more and more they will be competing with often perfectly adequate used furniture.

I feel like some of you aren’t really paying attention to the details of this “Second Cycle” system and understanding why it is groundbreaking for a design company to be buying back its own recycled products….

Rik Martin and “Fenomanalogy” – this isn’t anything like Goodwill or Salvation Army. This isn’t a charity shopping selling donated used goods in order to raise money for charity. Not that what these charities do isn’t fabulous commendable work – but it is totally different than both the system and the reasoning behind Second Cycle.

This is a a high-end, iconic design brand BUYING BACK it’s vintage pieces and then reselling it to those who appreciate the history and patina that comes with the age on these classic pieces. This not only helps to elevate the appreciation for the old, for the already used, which is an extremely important part of “sustainable design” – but it also shifts’ Artek’s production cycle from always making NEW PRODUCTS, to instead collecting and refurbishing their old products – saving energy and keep this stuff out of the waste stream.

How many other iconic design brands, Rik and Fenomanalogy, do you know that are doing this? I’ve never heard of any others, which is why we thought this was worth remarking on. Think about it this way – if IKEA and Herman Miller and DWR and other design brands like this all did the same thing – just think about how much waste and energy we would save.

-Jill

The more I think about this, the more problematic it is…

Just like “used cars” vs “pre-owned cars”. If we can get over people’s resistance to buy used goods, then that’s a positive step forward.