F-LABO reviving discarded furniture for circularity in the Noto Region

F-LABO, one of Japan’s largest chair refurbishment factories located in Ishikawa Prefecture, has launched a new project to breathe new life into discarded furniture. The company has specialised in chair reupholstery and repair for almost two decades, primarily serving the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, and event spaces. Now, the company is continuing a project that combines circularity with craftsmanship by upcycling unused and abandoned furniture.

The company’s “Circular Economy Project” kicked off in February with the sale of upcycled furniture originally intended for a well-known furniture brand. The campaign sold 24 items, generating over ¥251,000. This success paved the way for a second run, starting on 1 December, featuring refurbished office furniture. In addition to these office pieces, F-LABO plans to release discontinued items and prototypes as limited edition upcycled furniture, to provide a more sustainable shopping option.

The project’s profits will also aid the local community’s recovery from recent natural disasters. Thirty per cent of the sales revenue after expenses will be donated towards rebuilding efforts following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Oku-Noto Heavy Rain. F-LABO itself faced damage to its facilities during the earthquake, and sees how they have responsibility to play a part the region’s recovery.

Furthermore, F-LABO is seeking to preserve traditional craftsmanship while adapting to changing trends by restoring these furniture. Many quality chairs made by Japanese artisans are discarded as industrial waste, often replaced by imported alternatives. The project is also designed to address sustainability concerns tied to production. F-LABO is collaborating with seasoned senior craftsmen and employing IT machinery to produce over 100 refurbished chairs daily.

F-LABO hopes that the Circular Economy Project can create a meaningful difference for its community that is affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and floods, while preserving skills and traditions.