The Rise of Circular Economy Through Innovation: Lighting Up Sustainability
- Monika Kulshrestha
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 25
In today’s world, where sustainability and creativity have become essential, finding new ways to repurpose overlooked items can lead to exciting new ventures. This blog post continues our journey into the circular economy at Deals Colony, sharing how a forgotten horse lamp evolved into a market-ready product—sparking both creativity and opportunity in the process.
Breathing New Life into an Old Lamp
This project began with a unique but dusty horse lamp sitting in our warehouse—left behind from a closed business. Its potential wasn’t obvious to everyone, but we saw something different: an opportunity to revive and reimagine it for a new market.
We listed the lamp on our Deals Colony eBay store as part of our Leftover Luxe Line, where we trial unused stock and explore sustainable second chances through circular retail. The lamp sold almost immediately.
But that wasn’t the end of the story—it was just the beginning.
The Birth of a Product Line: Grazing Susan
What followed was one of our favourite moments of circular creativity. A husband-and-wife duo in our creative network, Kerri & Jenny ♥️, used our Lazy Susan prototype and transformed it into something unforgettable—a Grazing Susan, built for serving snacks with flair using BBQ skewers, a drill machine, and plenty of love.
We were so inspired, we created our own Deals Colony version of the Grazing Susan.
📸 We photographed different ways people could use it and added styling ideas for parties, grazing tables, and seasonal get-togethers. 🎄 It quickly became a best-seller in our Christmas collection, with 100+ units sold, and was even featured in eBay’s trending items.
Kerri and Jenny never wanted payment, but we insisted on a gratitude amount. As always at Deals Colony, passion-led prototypes often evolve into purposeful products—and this was the perfect example.
Painting a New Path
In a similar trial project, we took our remaining horse lamp stock and explored ways to extend its life through colour and creativity. We engaged a talented local artist to experiment with a few paint options.
🎨 We trialed 3 different lamp colours—each version beautifully painted and unique.
🖤 But black? That one flew off the shelf. The other colours remain safely in storage as prototypes, ready to match future event themes or creative concepts.
Instead of calling it leftover, we call it potential—waiting for the right moment to shine.
Crafting Stories Through Art
As we began the redesign, it became clear that each brushstroke told a story. By placing storytelling at the forefront, we brought new life to the lamp. Each piece was no longer just a lamp; it became a conversation starter. Buyers, both local and international, were not just looking for home decor—they sought unique stories behind each item. Research indicates that 65% of consumers prefer products that tell a story or have a sense of purpose.
The positive feedback was overwhelming. Our customers wanted items that represented thoughtful design and sustainable practices. Each sale proved our belief that someone’s unwanted item can indeed be transformed into treasure through intentional effort.
Showcasing the Power of Circular Economy
As our project gained traction, we sold several lamps at higher price points due to our focus on the circular economy. This approach reinforced our belief that all skills, time, and resources hold value. We demonstrated that by rescuing goods like our horse lamp, we could model thoughtful consumerism that honors both the environment and the community.
The growth of our Leftover Luxe Line showcases the impact of circular retail. It illustrates that viewing products not just as items for sale, but as stories to share, creates enriching experiences for both the creator and the consumer. In fact, products have sold for up to 40% more compared to similar non-recycled items in the market.
Looking Ahead: What's Next?
Exciting plans are underway to expand our circular retail initiative even further. We are exploring new avenues of creativity and reaching out to more local artists. Our goal is to develop a broader platform that supports sustainable projects, creating a thriving ecosystem based on collaboration and innovation.
We encourage you to stay tuned for our next update, where we will dive deeper into this journey and reveal how we are toolkcircular retail to the next level. Be sure to sign up for the latest news!
Got an Idea That Needs Some Love?
If you have an upcycling idea or a product that deserves a fresh eye—we’d love to help.
✨ Whether you’re looking to:
Launch your idea from scratch
Test a circular product line
Or join the Deals Colony team and co-launch within our ecosystem
📩 You can book an Initial Assessment for Your Idea and see how far your creativity can go.
Final Thoughts
Circular economy isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about rewriting the story of what we consider valuable.
We’ve only just scratched the surface. This blog is one of many case studies we’ll be sharing on how Deals Colony is bringing circular retail to life through trial, storytelling, and community.
👀 Want early access to more behind-the-scenes passion-to-purpose stories?
📬 Email us to become one of our "visitors with vision" and follow our next circular chapter.
Let’s create more with less—together.
🌀 Book Your Free Idea Assessment → use code SPECIALGIFT2025
📩 Or email us to explore a partnership or team idea launch → support@dealscolony.com.au
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