From Nordic Household Waste to Award-Winning Design

At Natural Baby Shower, we pride ourselves on being able to help parents make conscious decisions that are not only good for baby, but the planet too. KAOS shows a commitment to sustainability and does things the right way, not just the easy way.

As parents, we're increasingly encouraged to think about sustainability when making purchasing decisions for our families. But there is one question that we don't think about:

Why are so many baby products still made from virgin plastic?

This is a question that caught our attention when we learned the story behind KLAPP Recycled from the Norwegian brand KAOS. At first glance it looks like a beautifully designed highchair but behind the product there is a much bigger story about circular design, innovation and what's possible when a company challenges industry norms.

A different approach to children's products

The baby industry has traditionally relied heavily on newly produced materials. As a result, households across the Nordic region generate large volumes of plastic waste every year. Rather than accepting this as inevitable, the team behind KAOS asked whether household waste could be transformed into something valuable again. The result is a highchair made from recycled consumer plastic collected from Nordic households called ‘KLAPP Recycled’.

Plastic waste is sorted, cleaned and recycled in Finland before being transformed into new raw material. From there, the material is transported to the Netherlands, where the chairs are manufactured and assembled. What was once household waste has been given a completely new purpose.

The challenge behind the product

Turning recycled household waste into a premium children's product is far more complex than it may sound. Children's products must meet exceptionally high standards for safety, durability and quality. Achieving those standards with recycled materials requires significant research, testing and investment. The ambition of the project was recognised by Norwegian Retailers Environment Fund (Handelens Miljøfond), which awarded KAOS NOK 2 million to help bring the concept to life.

The journey became so remarkable that the organisation later made a short documentary about the project, calling it: "The Impossible Chair." A fitting title for a product many believed would be difficult to produce, if not impossible.

Lower emissions without compromising quality

One of the most impressive outcomes of the project is its measurable environmental impact. According to KAOS, KLAPP Recycled has a 64% lower CO₂ footprint compared to a similar chair produced from virgin plastic. This reduction has been achieved without sacrificing the important qualities parents expect from a premium product such as durability, safety and thoughtful design. It's a reminder that sustainability and functionality don't have to be opposing goals.

More than recycled plastic

Another detail we found particularly interesting is the material composition itself. The recycled plastic is blended with wood fibres, creating a stronger and more durable material. The wood fibres also contribute to carbon storage, helping lock carbon into a product designed to remain in use for many years. It's a small detail, but one that reflects a broader idea: sustainability is often the result of many thoughtful decisions working together.

Why longevity matters

While recycled materials are important, perhaps the most sustainable feature of KLAPP is its longevity. The chair is designed to grow with a child and remain useful through multiple stages of development. Many families continue using it for younger siblings or pass it on once their own children have outgrown it. In a category often associated with short-term use, longevity matters. At the end of the day, the most sustainable products are often the ones that stay in use the longest.

A glimpse into the future of baby products

At Natural Baby Shower, we love discovering brands that challenge conventions and reimagine how products are made. KLAPP Recycled is an inspiring example of what can happen when good design, innovation and sustainability come together.

More importantly, it raises an interesting question for the wider industry:
If a premium highchair can be made from Nordic household waste, what other baby products could follow?

Shop the collection - KAOS Highchairs