Re.Form
About Re.Form
Re.Form is Jacobsen’s product stewardship programme that is grounded in the principles of circular design and the circular economy. Established in 2020, this takeback initiative facilitates the return of unwanted flooring in our bid to reduce the amount of construction waste ending up in New Zealand landfills.
It’s a collaboration between Jacobsen, our suppliers and you—our customers—focused on reclaiming, reusing, recycling and Re.Form-ing many of our products when they reach the end of their life cycle
Construction and demolition waste is a significant challenge across New Zealand, accounting for roughly 40% of everything sent to landfill - an estimated 7 million tonnes annually.
Understanding Circularity
Re.Form is built on the principles of circular design and the circular economy.
In today's world with ever-increasing resource scarcity and pressing environmental challenges, circularity is essential for fostering sustainable practices that prioritise designing out waste and promoting the efficient use of materials.
The circular economy is an economic model that aims to reduce waste and maximise the use of resources by reclaiming, reusing, recycling and Re.Form-ing. Unlike the traditional linear approach of "take, make, dispose," it promotes 'closed loop' production methods, keeping materials and products in continuous circulation for long-term sustainability across all industries and sectors.
"Waste is a design flaw." -Kate Krebs
Circular design focuses on creating high-quality products that are durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable. As a design principle, circularity prioritises designing-out waste from the very outset. Unlike the traditional design paradigm that sees end-of-life products as waste, circular design views post-use products as valuable resources that can be reclaimed and dismantled at the end of their life to be reintroduced into the supply chain as raw materials that are Re.Form-ed into the same new, high-quality products that you know and love.
Re.claim and Re.use
As part of our Re.Form programme and in line with the principles of circularity, we re.claim high-quality, post-use, reusable carpet tiles from you and donate them to Habitat for Humanity who either sell or re.use them in their housing projects.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organisation that works with New Zealand families experiencing housing insecurity. Jacobsen are proud to be actively supporting them to meet their critical goal of eliminating substandard housing.
Re.Form
When products can’t be donated, we collect, sort and send them back to our suppliers to be Re.Form-ed into new, high-quality products. The process varies by product type, with some products being returned into fully closed-loop circular design models, where they are dismantled and Re.Form-ed into the same high-quality product, while other products are recycled into new, but different, products, such as playmats and road cones.
An Imperfect Solution and a Commitment to Growth
Re.Form is by no means a perfect solution. We face several logistical challenges and barriers. The infrastructure needed to support a fully circular economy is still developing, which means we’re constantly searching for better ways to manage our processes. Exporting post-use products overseas can be difficult due to government restrictions but we are committed to doing our best to navigate these challenges. With certain products, our suppliers already have the technology and systems in place to fully close the loop. For others, we are actively exploring local and regional solutions to help minimise the environmental impact of our industry. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to continually improving and finding innovative ways to reclaim, reuse, recycle and Re.Form our products.
Return to this page regularly to stay updated on our latest progress.
A Re.Form Case Study
After 12 years Papamoa College was ready for a refresh of their original carpet tiles. Instead of sending them landfill, they repurposed their carpet tiles through the Jacobsen Re.Form programme and donated them to a cyclone-affected school in Hawkes Bay. The school has a strong commitment to sustainable design and the circular economy and was excited to collaborate with Jacobsen to have a positive impact on the environment and another school in need.
FAQ's
Re.Form is Jacobsen’s product stewardship progamme.
It offers you the opportunity to be part of the solution in our bid to reduce the level of construction waste going to landfills; while simultaneously reducing your company's waste disposal costs. Through Re.Form we collect, repurpose and recycle vinyl, rubber, and carpet tile flooring materials.
Re.Form aims to reduce the amount of construction waste ending up in landfills.
For quality assurance purposes, we are only able to accept our own products through Re.Form.
Please review the instruction guide thoroughly to avoid packing non-compliant product types and items such as rubbish or sharp objects.
Disclaimer: Please check this page regularly for updates on the products accepted into the Re.Form program. The list of products we accept is constantly evolving as we explore new opportunities to collaborate with brands and local initiatives on reuse, recycling and Re.Form solutions. Changing regulations present ongoing challenges but we're dedicated to adapting and expanding the range of products we can include in the program.
Participation in our Re.Form programme is free! We believe that as a business we are responsible, in part, for ensuring that we have a robust product stewardship programme that helps to reduce the burden our industry places upon the environment. This being said, we ask that you help us keep these costs low by following all guidelines and instructions as if your Re.Form collection is incorrectly packed or placed in an inaccessible area, additional freight or collection costs may arise and we reserve the right to pass these costs along to you.
To request Re.Form bags, fill out the Book a Bag Form. Each bag fits approximately 50-60m² of vinyl or rubber and around 40m² of carpet tiles. Make sure to specify how many bags you require and the desired date for delivery.
The number of bags depends on the material you’re returning. One bag can hold around 50-60m² of HO vinyl or rubber or 40m² of carpet tiles.
Remember that some products will not go into a Re.Form bag and should instead be stacked on a pallet and shrink-wrapped. Please refer to our product matrix on 'What products can be collected through Re.Form?' for the correct way to pack your product types.
Re.Form bags should be placed on pallets and filled to the blue line. Pallets must be 1m x 1m in size, carefully stacked, and shrink-wrapped for safe transport. Follow all packing guidelines in our Re.Form Guide to avoid collection issues or additional charges.
No, rubbish or sharp items cannot be placed in the Re.Form bags as they pose a health and safety risk to the team. Ensure only compliant materials are included.
Pallets must be the standard size of 1m x 1m for collection. Ensure all pallets meet this requirement before requesting a pickup.
When requesting a Re.Form collection, ensure that the collection area is flat and easily accessible by truck. If the area has a gravel surface, a forklift must be available. Be sure to follow the packing guidelines to avoid delays and extra costs.
Fill out the Book a Collection Form, indicating how many bags or pallets are ready and the desired collection date. You must confirm the area is accessible and meets Re.Form packing requirements.
A forklift is required if the collection area has a gravel surface. For other surfaces, ensure that the collection area is flat and accessible for the truck. If no forklift is available on a gravel surface, collections cannot proceed.
You can specify the desired collection date on the Re.Form Collection Request Form. Ensure that your collection is ready by that date and all packing and accessibility requirements are met.
If your Re.Form collection is incorrectly packed or placed in an inaccessible area, additional freight or collection costs may arise and we reserve the right to pass these costs along to you.
To download the Re.Form guide, click here.
If you need to update any details, such as the collection date or site access, please contact us on 0800 800 460 as soon as possible to make the necessary adjustments.
If you have any additional questions about Re.Form, please contact our Customer Services team at 0800 800 460 or reach out to your Account Manager.