To gain a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of NORNORM's circular furnishing service in comparison to traditional furniture purchases, NORNORM conducted a detailed Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in collaboration with Aalborg University. The methodology is based on “A guide for evaluating the environmental performance of Product/Service-Systems”.
The NORNORM subscription model and traditional furniture purchases are compared, considering the climate impact throughout the lifecycle of the furniture. This includes assessing events like furniture production, transportation, refurbishment and other factors that contribute to the total life cycle climate impact. For a detailed overview of the assumptions employed in the model and the list of events taken into account during the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), please consult the table below.
The CO2 climate impact and waste avoided using the NORNORM service compared to traditional buying are presented to potential customers in their proposal or on their subscription page for active customers, ensuring access to climate impact information in the decision process and information for the annual climate impact reporting for customers. In accordance with the GHG protocol, the climate impact of the NORNROM service should be accounted as a Scope 3 emission in your climate reporting (indirect emission from purchased services).
CUSTOMER PROPOSAL – PRE-IMPLEMENTATION OF FURNITURE
Our customer proposal provides information on the annual climate impact and avoidance (in kilograms of CO2 ) when comparing subscription-based furniture usage to traditional buying. The comparison is based on the same set of furniture in the two models, the furniture we have drawn into your office design. Additionally, it highlights the furniture waste savings (in kilograms) achieved through subscription, where we divert furniture waste from landfills and incineration into recycled and harvesting of reusable components.
SUBSCRIPTION PAGE – POST-COMPLETION OF INSTALLATION
For our active customers, we provide the same comprehensive overview, also including an accumulated and avoided climate impact from the start date of your NORNORM subscription. Changes are considered based on the current average use of changes across our customer base, once per year, but we are working on including the actual number and details of your changes in order provide more accurate information. Please see the table below for further details.
At NORNORM, we are on a mission to actively contribute towards creating a better planet. We take great pride in presenting the climate benefits of the NORNORM service, which not only aims to support you in achieving your climate targets but also aligns with our commitment to environmental guardianship. It is important to note that this model serves as an initial step in showcasing the differences between subscribing and buying. We remain dedicated to continuously enhancing it, leveraging insights gained from the climate impact and use of our service, as we strive to reduce emissions along our value chain and make a positive difference for our planet using innovation and technology.
Our climate impact calculations are based on a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) comparing our circular furnishing service to traditional buying. We consider like-for-like products and have observed significant benefits of up to 70% in reduced climate impact among our active customers.
The extended furniture lifetime within our circular model is the primary driver of these results. Our studies indicate that we can prolong the furniture lifetime up to four times compared to when office furniture is bought. This is achieved through the smart selection of component-based functional, durable and timeless furniture. When the furniture finally reaches the end of its life, we prioritise reusing components and recycling the remaining materials.
Please see the table above, listing the events and assumptions included and used in the climate impact Life Cycle Analysis.
As of now, we have not seeked to certify our model and way of calculating climate impact with any third party organisations. The calculations are carried out in collaboration with Aalborg University and are based on NORNORM’s expertise competence in the business model and operational set-up together with information provided from suppliers. “A guide for evaluating the environmental performance of product/service-systems" served as the methodology for defining and and comparing the climate impact.
Following the definitions of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in the GHG Protocol (https://ghgprotocol.org/). As a NORNORM customer, you should report the climate impact of your NORNORM subscription as a Scope 3 emission (indirect emission from purchased services). You will find the climate impact information on your subscription page.