In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with architect and Anguleris CEO Ben Glunz to explore Swatchbox’s new Second Life Samples™ program—a breakthrough initiative that’s redefining sustainability in the design world.
Swatchbox has long helped designers streamline how they request and return product samples, but its new offering goes a step further: enabling the return and reuse of any unused material sample, regardless of where it came from. Leveraging a proprietary AI visual engine, the technology will assess the condition of samples and then the company will either recirculate, donate, or recycle them responsibly.
Together, Robert and Ben discuss:
- The environmental and logistical costs of traditional sampling practices
- Why circular design begins with thoughtful specification
- How Swatchbox’s model empowers both manufacturers and designers
- What Gen Z expects from sample workflows—and how the industry is evolving to meet them
If you’re passionate about reducing waste in the built environment, this episode offers real-world insights on how to start closing the loop—one sample at a time.
🔗 Learn more: secondlife.swatchbox.com
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