Sweden Opens The World's First 'Recycling' Mall

April 5, 2017

ReTuna Återbruksgalleria in Sweden is a mall dedicated entirely to repaired and recycled goods. It combines a traditional recycling center with a shopping center, so that people can drop off goods that they no longer need, and then browse for something new.

It's the first mall of its kind in Sweden, and as far as they know, the first in the world.

Credit: www.retuna.se

Dropped off goods are sorted into various workshops where they are refurbished or repaired accordingly.

Products are then sorted into 14 specialty shops that include furniture, computers, audio equipment, clothes, toys, bikes, and gardening and building materials; all garnered from second-hand products.

The mall also includes a restaurant with lots of organic options, an exhibition area, conference facilities and a training college for studying recycling.

ReTuna Återbruksgalleria itself is operated by the local municipality, but the shops are private businesses and social enterprises, so it creates space for start-ups and local artisans.

"Our idea is that the customer comes here and leaves for example some furniture and clothing that can get tired or have no use for anymore," says Anna Bergström, manager of ReTuna Recycling Galleria. "Then you go a lap at the mall. Maybe find a new jacket and a new framework that will make the photograph of the grandfather unique and extra fine. Since you eat organic lunch in our restaurant to gather strength to go another lap and find new flowers for the garden and a new lamp for the living room. When you leave here, you should feel that you did something good for the environment and that they shopped climate."

(h/t) make wealth history