A VALUABLE TABLE MADE FROM YOUR OWN WASTE

Making a table out of the valuable raw materials hidden in your waste streams sounds simple but in practice is a multidisciplinary challenge. For this purpose, Alliander Facilities and TRIBOO formed a team consisting of Ernst Willem van Drumpt (Facilities Manager), Bianca Renssen (Supplier Manager Working Environment), Willem Molenaar (Supply Chain Consultant R&A Safety Advisor ADR), Taco Hofkamp (Facility Coordinator), Marc van der Heijden (Executive Board TRIBOO), Martijn Meijer (Circular Tribe Officer).

STEP BY STEP THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR TO A PROTO TYPE TABLE

What waste is suitable and safe to make a circular table with. Visits were made to various sites to find the treasures that were needed. Tests were done with various products from the waste streams. In the end, the plastics used in the obsolete energy meters seemed to have the best chance as the basic raw material for the prototype table. The energy meters were dismantled and sorted by people with a distance to the labor market. Samples were made and tests were carried out to determine whether a meeting table in a size of 2600x1000x30mm could be made from them. Finally, all the signals were green and a table top was pressed from 100 kilos of plastic parts. After sanding and polishing, the prototype table was ready and was installed at the head office in Arnhem.

WHO IS ALLIANDER

Alliander is a network company. They develop and manage energy networks. Through their cables and pipes, more than 3 million Dutch households and businesses receive electricity, gas and heat. They manage more than 90,000 km of electricity network and 40,000 km of gas network and are proud that these networks, with a supply reliability of more than 99.99%, are among the most reliable in the world. With 7,000 colleagues, they ensure that the lights are on, the houses are warm and the businesses are running. A reliable, affordable and accessible energy supply for everyone. Now and in the sustainable future. That is Alliander's social role.

WHO IS TRIBOO

TRIBOO was founded in 2016 by Marc van der Heijden and is based in Zevenhuizen. With revolutionary innovations and groundbreaking techniques, they transform 'worthless' waste streams, from plastics and natural fibers, into 'valuable' circular office furniture. TRIBOO makes an impact by furnishing offices in a circular way and aims to radically change the furniture industry and make it more sustainable. In 2020 it was recognized by being nominated for the Oscar among entrepreneurial awards the Koning Willem I plaque as one of the 12 most sustainable companies in the Netherlands. Also, the European Commission named TRIBOO as a Rising Star at the European Business Awards for the environment in the products and services category. One to watch and standing out for bold leadership towards a sustainable economic recovery for Europe, well aligned with the priorities of the European Green Deal. The circular economy and waste-free society are made visible in the interior in a striking manner. This is a practical and demonstrable improvement of the company's sustainability proposition. And you can't stop talking about the circular furniture made from old fridges, soap bottles, CDs, your old administration, hemp and many more raw materials that we throw away every day.