For Nordbygg 2024, the knowledge-based firm Svensk Byggtjänst created a stand entirely made up of recycled materials. Lina Harbom Hedberg, Head of Marketing, shares her experiences from the process – from idea all the winding road to a complete result.
31 January 2025
A recycled stand – how hard can that be to build? That it is no simple task is something that Lina Harbom Hedberg learned quickly as the project manager for Svensk Byggtjänst’s presence at Nordbygg 2024.
The goal was to create a construction made up entirely of recycled materials, which included wood from previous sporting events, left-over paint and recycled fasteners, such as nails and screws. The design was based on a flexible modular construction, created in close collaboration with an architect and a production agency, where the supply of materials steered the design.
– We really had to go that extra mile to succeed with this project. It’s a challenge both to localise and ensure the quality of the recycled material. We have realised that many with the same ambition gave up, and I admit that we also struggled several times. But it was worth it. Now we have created something that has a minimal footprint and that lives on – it’s a powerful feeling, Lina explains.
To ensure quality and sustainability, all materials were thoroughly reviewed, focussing on minimising climate impact and creating a construction that could live on after the fair.
Measurable climate impact and the larger perspective
According to Sweco, who contributed their expert knowledge under the leadership of sustainability profile Amanda Borneke, the climate impact of Svensk Byggtjänst’s recycled stand decreased by 625 kg CO₂e compared to a traditional stand made of new materials. That is equal to the emissions of a round-trip flight between Stockholm and Paris.
– It may seem like a lot of work for a relatively small gain, but it is all about seeing the bigger picture. Our industry builds entire communities. If we can inspire others to follow us, we have the potential to create a chain reaction. If we only talk about sustainability but do not act, for example through using recycled materials, we undermine the values and goals that we all must aim at, Lina says.
A stand that lives on
Even though sustainability communication permeated many stands at Nordbygg 2024, there were few exhibitors that went as far as Svensk Byggtjänst and used recycled materials throughout the process. At Nordbygg 2026, more companies are expected to take the step from ambition to action.
– Sustainable construction should be evident. There really shouldn’t even be an alternative. Demand controlling the market is also central to the supply of recycled material. The more that choose this, the greater the incentives for suppliers to improve the supply and logistics around them, Lina explains.
Svensk Byggtjänst’s recycled stand is a living example of practical sustainability. After the fair, the construction was split into two parts that now live on as sustainability walls at the filter company UltraMare – one part in Trollhättan and one in Stockholm!
Tips for constructing a recycled stand:
- Plan ahead for materials – Put in the time to find and secure the supply of recycled materials. Always have a plan B, just in case.
- Flexible design – Work together with architects and production agencies that can adjust the construction to available resources.
- Think long-term – Use modules that easily can be reused in future projects.
- Spread inspiration – Share your experiences with others in the industry and contribute to a positive change.
More inspiring sustainability examples from Nordbygg 2024
Nordsjö – Evolve Recycled
Winner of Nordbygg’s Gold Medal 2024. Nordsjö introduced a paint product with up to 35% recycled content – an innovation that could transform the painting industry.
“New Eyes on Wood” – Entrance Square
The stage in the entrance square was built from recycled materials and will be reused by the City of Stockholm – a clear example of circular solutions in public spaces.
EVIA – The Hemp-Lime Pavilion
A meeting place made of wood and hemp lime, combined materials with aesthetic design and an appreciated focal point of the fair.
Danfoss Climate Solutions
Winner of the Byggfakta award for the most innovative stand of the year. Their contribution, The Sustainable City, was made out of carton and contained no physical product – all communication was digital. ‘A sustainable stand of the digital era’ was the jury’s statement.
