Material waste has quietly become a massive challenge for architecture and design firms. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the construction industry generates over 600 million tons of waste each year, with a significant portion coming from discarded materials like product samples. As libraries fill with outdated or unused samples, firms are left with limited options for disposal, and most of these materials ultimately end up in landfills.

Now, Swatchbox is taking action with the launch of Second Life Samples™, the first fully circular sampling program for the AEC industry. The program gives designers a practical, sustainable way to manage material libraries while cutting waste and lowering their carbon footprint.

A New Chapter in Sample Management

Since its launch in 2018, Swatchbox has provided free return services for samples ordered through its platform. The Second Life Samples program builds on that foundation, expanding the service to include any complete and undamaged samples regardless of where they originally came from. That means designers can now send back a much wider range of materials for reuse.

Returned samples are inspected, analyzed, and graded through a proprietary process that includes an AI-powered visual engine. The AI assesses each sample's condition and assigns identifying information such as brand name, product line, and SKU. Once processed, samples are assigned metadata and listed back on the Swatchbox platform for other architects and designers to order

The goal is to restore the value of these materials and keep them in circulation instead of the landfill. Even samples that no longer have manufacturer labels or are no longer actively sold are given new purpose. These are offered to students and educators for use in design programs and studios. Damaged or incomplete samples are processed through the most responsible recycling streams available.

How It Works

Participating firms can schedule a pickup with Swatchbox – no sorting or separation required. A courier collects 100 percent of a firm's unwanted samples. More than 90 percent of materials collected to date have been suitable for reuse. This cuts down not only on landfill waste, but also on the emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting new samples.

A single day of collection can reduce a firm’s carbon footprint by an average of 220 kilograms, which is roughly equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by ten mature oak trees in a year.

How to Get Involved

Designers who order samples on Swatchbox can now explore listings labeled Second Life Samples, offering a more sustainable option for sourcing.

Firms interested in taking part can become Swatchbox Firm Partners, gaining access to on-demand pickups and the tools to streamline their sample library while reducing waste. This marks an important step toward a more circular material economy in the design industry. By focusing on reuse and reducing waste, Swatchbox is helping design professionals manage their resources more responsibly, without sacrificing creativity or convenience.

Click here to learn more or become a Firm Partner.

Swatchbox is a premier sample fulfillment service for building product manufacturers. With proprietary software designed by insiders of the design community, Swatchbox helps manufacturers improve product sales and brand affinity by delivering material samples to the design community with speed, intelligence, and style. Learn more and join Swatchbox at www.swatchbox.com.