Re:Play works with sustainable learning in preschools by offering educational toys, reused materials and practical knowledge and inspiration. Sigma Technology Informatics Solutions in Växjö has become Re:Play’s digitalization partner and has developed an IT platform to simplify the handling of materials and knowledge flows between preschools and suppliers.
A company with a sustainable vision
Re:Play was founded in 2022 with the mission of contributing to a more sustainable society, focusing on the environment where the future begins — in Swedish preschools, for children and educators. The company supplies reused and residual materials for preschool activities and produces play and learning objects made from reclaimed materials that align with the curriculum. The raw materials used to produce the learning tools are leftovers and waste materials from the manufacturing industry that otherwise would have been discarded or incinerated.
A digital platform for reuse
Re:Play contacted Sigma Technology at the start-up stage to get help developing an IT platform.
“The software we develop for Re:Play is designed to facilitate the management of materials and knowledge flows. Through the system, preschools can easily purchase, borrow or rent reused materials. The software also includes internal inventory management and basic functionality for industrial companies that contribute residual materials,” says Philip Forsmark, software developer at Sigma Technology Informatics Solutions.
From idea to reality
The software is already in use by Re:Play’s customers, which now include preschools in Kronoberg County. In addition to the core IT platform, Sigma Technology is building a sales portal, a rental system and a knowledge module.
“Together with municipalities and companies in Kronoberg County, we have identified a unique opportunity to create new value chains by transforming industrial residual materials into teaching resources for preschools. By developing a digital sharing platform, we make these materials easily accessible to preschools regardless of location, enabling greater use of sustainable resources,” says Pontus Albinzon, founder of Re:Play, and continues:
“The collaboration with Sigma and their development team has been invaluable for us as an early-stage entrepreneurial company. Their flexibility, responsiveness and innovative working methods have acted as an extension of our team — almost like the employee we don’t yet have in our organization. With Philip as our contact, a highly experienced and clever problem solver, it has felt extremely reassuring to advance the project even during periods when we needed to focus on other startup tasks.”
Technology contributing to a sustainable future
“It has been a very rewarding and inspiring collaboration with Re:Play. Their vision of supporting sustainable learning aligns with our goal of contributing to a better tomorrow. We are also proud that we could carry out this project with our development team and involve students from Linnaeus University. It is important to show future systems scientists how technology can contribute to a sustainable society and to highlight career opportunities in tech,” says Johan Ericsson, head of department at Sigma Technology Informatics Solutions.
Future projects in sustainable learning
The collaboration between Re:Play and Sigma Technology continues. In 2025 a new project linked to digitalization and sustainable development environments for preschools will take shape, developed in collaboration with students from Linnaeus University.