Circular innovation: a foldable shipping box made from scrap material for refurbished kitchen appliances

Two recycling challenges come together in one successful solution

ATAG and EKI, in collaboration with students from HAN University of Applied Sciences, have developed The ReGuard: a foldable shipping box made from recycled materials, designed to safely transport refurbished kitchen appliances. This innovation combines two circular economy challenges into a single solution.

The ReGuard is designed to protect kitchen appliances from damage during transport and storage. These are appliances from housing projects that are refurbished and then put back into service.

Foldable and stackable

The first design is now being used successfully: a universal transport box for ovens 45 and 65 cm wide. The structure consists of a platform with a protective layer of 2 mm foam. The system allows for safe stacking, is user-friendly, and is fully collapsible, making it easy to transport and store.

From waste stream to new application

EKI, a rubber and plastics manufacturer based in Nijmegen, is faced with residual materials that are still perfectly suitable for other purposes. The company is constantly working on solutions to repurpose these byproducts—such as foam and rubber—which are now being used as a base layer for sports fields, in art projects, and in educational projects.

Kitchen appliances get a second life

ATAG, the first brand in the Netherlands to offer an appliance refurbishment service, gives appliances from housing projects a second life. Cooktops, ovens, and refrigerators are inspected, cleaned, and repaired as needed. They are then repackaged and made available for use in construction projects.

Collaboration between Industry and Education

Thanks to the collaboration between students in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Product Design, two circular economy challenges have been combined into a single practical solution. In doing so, the project demonstrates how academia and industry can work together to contribute to a more sustainable manufacturing industry.

EKI is constantly exploring how and where it can put waste materials to good use in a sustainable way. The company welcomes tips and ideas on how to put waste materials to good use.