Furniture reuse: Institutional models in Turkey and Europe

This study provides a comparative examination of repurposing strategies developed within the furniture sector in line with sustainability and circular economy principles, with a focus on the contexts of Europe and Turkey. The aim is to investigate institutional models for reusing furniture with potential for extended life cycles, analyze the recovery capacity of wood-based materials, and propose a sustainable and applicable framework for Turkey. A qualitative research approach was adopted, in which the activities of European organizations such as RREUSE, WRAP, Repair Café, ENVIE, RepaNet, and AERESS were evaluated through a literature review and document-based analysis. In parallel, official reports and case studies from metropolitan municipalities including Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Izmir were analyzed. In the material assessment, solid wood, MDF, and particleboard were classified according to criteria such as technical suitability, structural durability, and potential for surface renewal. The findings indicate that multi-actor, socially driven models are prevalent in Europe, while in Turkey, initiatives remain limited and largely charity-oriented. The study concludes by proposing a new model based on collaboration with local governments, offering a roadmap for strengthening Turkey’s institutional capacity in sustainable furniture repurposing.