V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest

HOME APPLIANCES REPURPOSED INTO DESIGN ITEMS

V-ZUG, known for high-quality, Swiss-engineered household appliances from ovens and hobs to dishwashers and washing machines, is facilitating a transition for its machinery from active utility to a second, quieter life as domestic furniture. Rather than allowing decommissioned units to enter standard recycling streams where material value can be lost, the ‘Repurpose’ initiative reimagines discarded components as a lasting presence within the home. By diverting these materials from traditional disposal, the rapid energy of laundry care is distilled into stationary, functional objects.

V-ZUG launches its Repurpose Products | all images courtesy V-ZUG

CIRCULAR DESIGN MEETS SWISS CRAFTSMENSHIP

The first life of a V-ZUG washing machine is defined by decades of high-speed utility. When this cycle concludes, the company’s ‘Repurpose’ strategy ensures that the heart of the appliance — the stainless steel drum — is not lost to downcycling, a process that often destroys material value. Instead, these components are liberated from their mechanical shells to become the Adora Pouf and Adora Table.

dismantled stainless steel drums of decommissioned washing machine

This transformation is made possible through a local partnership with the Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Zug (GGZ), a social institution where decommissioned machines are systematically disassembled. By shifting from automated shredding to human-paced dismantling, pure material streams are separated, allowing the high-quality drums to be cleaned and reimagined. Once salvaged, the drums are passed to a network of Swiss specialists: Spritzwerk Rotkreuz handles the sandblasting and powder coating, while DER SATTLER and Buchmann & Britschgi contribute their respective expertise in upholstery and woodwork.

By keeping every step of production within Switzerland, V-ZUG ensures traceability and regional value creation while tangibly closing the material loop. The result are objects where the intense energy of the laundry room is distilled into a tactile furniture piece that offers discreet storage and a quiet, domestic presence.

human-paced dismantling by Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Zug

V-ZUG’S REPURPOSE PRODUCTS EXTEND THE LIFE OF VALUABLE MATERIALS

No longer defined by their previous mechanical labor, the Adora Pouf and Table offer discreet storage for everyday essentials while bringing a distinct character into modern interiors. This transformation extends beyond steel with the Multipurpose Bowl — crafted from the temperature-resistant door glass of decommissioned machines — further highlighting how minimalist design can find value in materials that were previously not recycled.

Multipurpose Bowl, crafted from the temperature-resistant door glass of decommissioned washing machines

Guided by a hierarchy of ‘R-strategies’ — repair, reuse, recycle, refurbish, repurpose — the company is committed to extending the life of its materials for as long as possible. By treating every decommissioned machine as a source for new domestic stories, V-ZUG continues to close the material loop, ensuring that the labor of the past sustains the collective imagination of the future.

The Repurpose collection is a singular milestone within a much broader circular vision for V-ZUG. It acts as a proof of concept for the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, which prioritizes the systematic dismantling of appliances over simple recycling to significantly lower their ecological footprint. As V-ZUG looks toward the future, the goal is to expand this concept to other product categories, scaling sustainability, one object at a time.

upholstery by DER SATTLER