“You don’t always need to invent a product. Sometimes you invent a system — and that’s where the real impact lies.”

Can you tell us about your journey into green entrepreneurship?

 I’ve worked as an independent industrial designer for over 10 years. I collaborate with clients in the furniture and product design sectors, always trying to sneak sustainability into the conversation. But often, it’s not the top priority — deadlines, cost, and aesthetics tend to dominate.

At some point, I started questioning the need to keep designing new products. There’s already so much out there. I wanted to build something with real environmental and social impact.

That’s how BENDig Materials began. We collect high-quality leftover materials from local manufacturers and offer them to designers, makers, students, and organizations. Think of it as a kind of matchmaking service for surplus materials.

Can you share an example of a project that illustrates your mission?

Definitely. A recent highlight was a collaboration between Buurtcomité @wijk.de.parken, @baf_collectief, and BENDig. On the Volksplein in Kortrijk, we provided the materials to build a long garden bench using reclaimed Thermo Es wood — material that had been rejected in production due to visual flaws or small cracks.

Despite these imperfections, the wood was perfect for outdoor use. Instead of being thrown away, it became the centerpiece of a shared public space. Local residents joined in the build, which added another layer of connection.

The project was funded by the Burgerbudget of @stadkortrijk, allowing citizens to turn their ideas into reality.

What’s special about working with production leftovers?  
There’s so much untapped potential. The system right now is linear: produce, discard, repeat. But during my design visits to factories, I kept noticing how much great material is labeled as waste simply because it’s too short, slightly damaged, or visually inconsistent.

That’s not waste. That’s opportunity. With BENDig, we give those materials a second life — often in creative or unexpected ways. It’s about changing how we value resources.

How did you get BENDig off the ground?
I treated BENDig like a prototype. I started small, tested the model, and made adjustments — just like you would with a new product.

Early on, I applied for two public funding calls. One was approved, and it gave us a two-year subsidy. That not only provided breathing room financially, but also validation. We’re now in year one and focusing on making the project financially sustainable long-term.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a green career?
Don’t wait for the perfect job title. Often, green jobs don’t exist — you create them. Start by exploring where your interests and skills intersect with environmental or social challenges.

Work within existing systems first if you can. Get to know the industry. Then, when you act — whether by launching your own thing or transforming a process from the inside — you’ll do it from a place of understanding and strength.

And keep it practical. Green work is often very hands-on.

What’s Next for BENDig?
The plan is to evaluate after two years — see whether BENDig becomes a stand-alone business, a nonprofit, or something in between. What’s certain is that the need is real, the community is growing, and we’re just getting started.