#reduces waste

[bellaciao-ciao-ciao]

imagine being this much of a sociopath

[productiveandfree]

The Importance of Designing Products for Longevity and Reusability

As consumer expectations evolve and businesses strive to meet the demand for higher-quality, longer-lasting products, designing with longevity and reusability in mind has become a critical aspect of modern product development. Companies must focus on creating products that meet customer needs and stand the test of time. This is why many companies explore different places to source products that will help them deliver greater value to consumers and establish a strong brand reputation. For instance, product sourcing in India is popular due to its rich manufacturing capabilities and diverse materials.

So, what does it mean to design products for longevity and reusability? It involves creating items that are reliable and designed to endure regular use. Additionally, it includes making products that can be easily repaired, upgraded, or reused when necessary to minimize the need for frequent replacements. 

In this article, we’ll dive into why designing for longevity and reusability is so important and how companies can achieve this through thoughtful product design. 

Enhances Product Usability

Products designed for longevity are inherently more reliable and practical for long-term use. When manufacturers prioritize high-quality materials, they create products that perform consistently over time, reducing the risk of breakdowns or malfunctions. This focus on usability ensures that customers can depend on their purchases, making them feel confident about the product’s value. Moreover, brands that adopt modular designs further improve their products’ usability by allowing specific parts to be replaced or upgraded without discarding the entire product.

When it comes to electronics or furniture, for example, components that wear out can be swapped for new ones. This saves users the cost and hassle of a complete replacement. Ultimately, designing for usability enhances the overall customer experience while encouraging responsible consumption.

 Boosts Customer Satisfaction

When products are built to last, customers also experience greater satisfaction, as they know their investment is worthwhile. Brands that offer durable, well-designed products demonstrate their commitment to quality and reliability, which helps to build trust and foster long-term loyalty. 

Additionally, designing products for repairability and upgradability adds another layer of value. In the case of businesses that offer spare parts, repair kits, or upgrades, their products can easily be enhanced with modular improvements, giving the customers a sense of control and pride in ownership. This approach satisfies customers and encourages repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Reduces Waste and Environmental Impact

Another compelling reason to design for longevity and reusability is the positive impact it has on the environment. Products with a longer lifespan reduce the frequency of disposal, thereby decreasing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills. 

In line with this, brands can design items that can be recycled or repurposed. This involves using materials that can be recovered and reused, which minimizes the need for new resources when producing new items. Some examples include producing modular electronics or using biodegradable packaging. Businesses that take these steps contribute to waste reduction while aligning with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products. This approach also enhances a brand’s reputation as a sustainable and responsible company.

 Cost-Effective for Customers

Products designed for longevity and reusability are also more cost-effective for customers. Although many of these items usually have a higher upfront cost, they save consumers money in the long run by eliminating the need for frequent replacements. 

If customers invest in a high-quality appliance that lasts for years, it’s far more economical than repeatedly buying cheaper, short-lived alternatives. Furthermore, modular designs reduce maintenance costs by allowing users to replace individual components instead of purchasing entirely new products. As businesses offer customers affordable ways to maintain and extend the life of their purchases, they can appeal to budget-conscious buyers who value durability and practicality.

Supports Circular Economy Principles

Designing for longevity and reusability also plays a crucial role in supporting the circular economy. It’s a system that prioritizes keeping resources in use for as long as possible. Products that can be repaired, reused, or recycled help reduce the need for virgin materials, thus conserving natural resources and lowering production costs. Additionally, creating products with timeless designs rather than following fleeting trends encourages consumers to use them for extended periods. This reduces unnecessary waste caused by outdated or unfashionable items.

For example, when customers purchase a classic, well-crafted piece of furniture or clothing, they have items that remain relevant and functional for years. Businesses that adopt principles of producing items that support the circular economy align their brand with global efforts to promote sustainability while meeting the needs of conscious consumers.

Conclusion

Designing products for longevity and reusability is more than about meeting current trends. It focuses on shaping a future where quality, sustainability, and value take precedence. As consumers become more mindful of their purchasing decisions, businesses that prioritize longevity and reusability will stand out as leaders in sustainable innovation. With this in mind, brands must learn to embrace these principles and create products that meet modern demands while contributing to a better, more sustainable future for all.

Germaine Ignacio

Germaine Ignacio is a freelance writer. As a Psychology major, she is interested in how investing in personal growth and happiness can improve professional productivity. She is also an avid baker who lives with two cats.

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[reasonsforhope]

It’s an open secret in fashion. Unsold inventory goes to the incinerator; excess handbags are slashed so they can’t be resold; perfectly usable products are sent to the landfill to avoid discounts and flash sales. The European Union wants to put an end to these unsustainable practices. On Monday, [December 4, 2023], it banned the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear.

“It is time to end the model of ‘take, make, dispose’ that is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy,” MEP Alessandra Moretti said in a statement. “Banning the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear will contribute to a shift in the way fast fashion manufacturers produce their goods.”

This comes as part of a broader push to tighten sustainable fashion legislation, with new policies around ecodesign, greenwashing and textile waste phasing in over the next few years. The ban on destroying unsold goods will be among the longer lead times: large businesses have two years to comply, and SMEs have been granted up to six years. It’s not yet clear on whether the ban applies to companies headquartered in the EU, or any that operate there, as well as how this ban might impact regions outside of Europe.

For many, this is a welcome decision that indirectly tackles the controversial topics of overproduction and degrowth. Policymakers may not be directly telling brands to produce less, or placing limits on how many units they can make each year, but they are penalising those overproducing, which is a step in the right direction, says Eco-Age sustainability consultant Philippa Grogan. “This has been a dirty secret of the fashion industry for so long. The ban won’t end overproduction on its own, but hopefully it will compel brands to be better organised, more responsible and less greedy.”

Clarifications to come

There are some kinks to iron out, says Scott Lipinski, CEO of Fashion Council Germany and the European Fashion Alliance (EFA). The EFA is calling on the EU to clarify what it means by both “unsold goods” and “destruction”. Unsold goods, to the EFA, mean they are fit for consumption or sale (excluding counterfeits, samples or prototypes)...

The question of what happens to these unsold goods if they are not destroyed is yet to be answered. “Will they be shipped around the world? Will they be reused as deadstock or shredded and downcycled? Will outlet stores have an abundance of stock to sell?” asks Grogan.

Large companies will also have to disclose how many unsold consumer products they discard each year and why, a rule the EU is hoping will curb overproduction and destruction...

Could this shift supply chains?

For Dio Kurazawa, founder of sustainable fashion consultancy The Bear Scouts, this is an opportunity for brands to increase supply chain agility and wean themselves off the wholesale model so many rely on. “This is the time to get behind innovations like pre-order and on-demand manufacturing,” he says. “It’s a chance for brands to play with AI to understand the future of forecasting. Technology can help brands be more intentional with what they make, so they have less unsold goods in the first place.”

Grogan is equally optimistic about what this could mean for sustainable fashion in general. “It’s great to see that this is more ambitious than the EU’s original proposal and that it specifically calls out textiles. It demonstrates a willingness from policymakers to create a more robust system,” she says. “Banning the destruction of unsold goods might make brands rethink their production models and possibly better forecast their collections.”

One of the outstanding questions is over enforcement. Time and again, brands have used the lack of supply chain transparency in fashion as an excuse for bad behaviour. Part of the challenge with the EU’s new ban will be proving that brands are destroying unsold goods, not to mention how they’re doing it and to what extent, says Kurazawa. “Someone obviously knows what is happening and where, but will the EU?”"

-via British Vogue, December 7, 2023

[ninamation]

Patchwork makeup bags

Made patchwork makeup bags out of secondhand and recycled materials to ask my BFFs to be my bridesmaids using this tutorial

[leonardcohenofficial]

a grocery shopping tip for if you eat poultry / are budgeting / get exhausted by cooking like i often find myself: my supermarket sells large boxes of fried and roasted chicken in the deli section usually in the range of five to six bucks which i’ve found are usually more cost effective than the ones i find in the frozen section; i’ve been freezing those and reheating them in my oven (450F for around half an hour for the fried options has worked well and doesn’t dry out the meat) which has been nice for dinners when i’m too exhausted to cook anything else and usually pair it with a salad or other vegetables

[sudaca-swag]

potatoes wrapped in plastic we should suicide bait that entire country at this point

[keruukat]

PLARN (Plastic Bag Yarn) TUTORIAL!

You Will Need:

Plastic grocery bags (though you can also use plastic packaging if it didn’t contain food, or really just any plastic if it’s long enough and clean.)

Scissors

Pen that can mark the plastic

Something to measure with

I’m not the best at describing things, so I’m going to do my best to supplement with images. I would put alt text but I don’t honestly know how to meaningfully describe the images that’s not what I write in the tutorial. Also don’t mind my dirty desk!

Instructions!

Grab your bag! I’m using this blue one because I thought it would show up better on camera and I have a bunch.

Flatten it out, like so! I like to hook one thumb in the bottom flap thing, where it’s sealed shut, and the other in the handle.

Fold it up! I fold it in half, twice, hot dog style. Should get you a nice long rectangle. Make sure the edges are nice and lined up, especially the bottom and the handles.

Chop off the sealed bottom as close as you can to the seam, and the handles as straight as possible. You want nice square corners. You’ve basically got a cylinder of plastic, now.

Unfold one side. It should have only one layer of plastic. If it has more, refold it up and flip it over, and unfold it again.

Measure and mark the width you want your plarn to be! I use an old staples box for the perfect width for my use, but you might want it thinner or thicker depending on. Too thin might cause issues with stretching while working, though.

Cut off any excess. This is where I’m discarding the damaged part!

Mark the top edge, staggered from the bottom marks. Exactly half way! This will be a guideline later.

Cut the marks on the folded side. DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY ACROSS! Only cut the folded parts, into strips.

Unfold it! Everything should be attached on one side only. It’s time to Spiralize This Bitch.

Cut on a diagonal where one cut ends and the next begins. Hopefully that makes sense? You’re trying to take this tube and make it into a long spiral.

Ta da! You have 1 bag worth of plarn! Tie any subsequent strips together, and have fun working with your plarn!

PRO TIP: this is pretty labor-intensive but I’ve been reinforcing the plarn by single-crocheting the whole length of it, weaving tied ends in as you go. It’s worth it, because I’m making a granny square tote bag out of this, and I don’t want it to break when I’m done.

[qishylia-adelia]

Lanyan my babygirl,I wish people would treat you more than who they ship you with (when she finally release)

[sustainabilitythoughts]

Go Gently

I got a book at the library that I really like.  It’s “Go Gently” by Bonnie Wright and provides a wealth of information on small manageable lifestyle shifts that can build into impactful sustainability habits.  Her philosophy is similar to mine: start small with actions and changes that work for you and build from there.  Her suggestions include lists of sustainability actions and lifestyle changes, and also how to nurture yourself as you help care for the planet.  The book includes educational information on climate change and plastic recycling, and earth-friendly recipes.  It’s a great all-around sustainability information resource.     

[saintberceuse]

I've been sick and having some restless nights ...

Anyway, the previous night I've really mulled over HB and how little sense the hierarchy makes.

I think I might actually HAVE to make a PowerPoint on this ...

What still irks me is how HB and HH are in the same universe ... ugh. It makes no sense. Make them separate, please!

Imps and Hell Hounds are the lowest, even though they get to live regular human-like lives instead of like ... working 24/7 like the lust and sloth demons. Imps are the lowest, but Satan is like second in command and even at the top when Lucifer isn't around??? Wouldn't he want his underlings to be considered higher than the rest?

Why imps even exist if they don't do anything? The work regular jobs in their own society rather than interacting with sinners (other than I.M.P.). The other types of demons work jobs related to the sin they serve that ultimately act as a service to imps (not sinners).

We see the succubi and incubi make sex toys and the primary consumers are imps ... not sinners. In terms of products, Vox (a sinner) makes things that sinners buy/consume rather than any sin or demon underlings of that sin. It doesn't make sense. Why do they even exist then if they aren't in anyway doing their REAL job/purpose?

What is even the point of the goetia?! They don't do anything!

[zerofuckingwaste]

Easy zero waste tip no. 3: Know your R's

Refuse: If you don't acquire the thing that will become waste in the first place, it won't produce further waste. Simple enough. Refuse that which you do not need. Example: All that cute stuff on that Buzzfeed article? You don't need it. Don't even click the link.

Reduce: If you need something, get the minimum. Note that this doesn't mean the cheapest option- it means the most effective and environmentally friendly option. Example: Instead of buying disposable razors, or a razor with changeable heads, try out a safety razor. Instead of using plastic toothbrushes, try out bamboo, and instead of toothpaste in disposable tubes, try out some toothpaste bits. Instead of buying chicken breasts for one thing and chicken broth for another, get a whole chicken and learn to butcher its meat, and make broth from the skin and bones.

Reuse: This means both being mindful of purchases, so you're only buying things that are reusable whenever possible (Example: use beeswax wrap instead of saran wrap), and repurposing things you've already bought (Example: use those little Oui yogurt containers to start seeds for your garden).

Recycle: Find out what your local recycling program actually recycles, and be mindful. Aluminum is a safe bet most of the time, as is paper/cardboard; but plastics, most of the time, are a dud, so try to refuse, reduce, and reuse plastic whenever possible so you don't even need to worry about recycling it. This also refers to donation- that's another valid way to recycle things!

Rot: If you have a yard, start a compost pile! Just try to get a 50/50 balance of food scraps to brown matter (paper, dry leaves, etc). If you have a freezer, you can stick a container in there to act as a compost thing until you can bring it to a compost facility, such as a local garden, or farm. If you don't have the ability to do either of these things, then you can see if there's a subscription compost service in your area (I used CompostNow for ages, they're great).

Understanding these five principles, and looking at them in this order, can make things easier. Next time you're buying something, or about to throw something away, consider which of these might allow you to reduce your waste output in the future.

[borninwinter81]

Replacing my bag strap

Unlike many of my clothes and accessories this bag isn't thrifted. It's a bag by Jawbreaker that I absolutely love the look of, it has multiple pockets, tons of space inside, and is clearly great quality as I've had it for over 10 years and it's almost good as new. It's the only handbag I own, and I've no desire to get a new one.

However the one bit I've had to replace multiple times is the shoulder strap, since that's the bit that gets most wear and tear.

It originally had the kind of strap which clips on, but the problem with those is that after years of metal rubbing against metal, eventually it wears away to the point where the clip is thin enough that it snaps. Last couple of times I just put a new clip on, however this time not only were the clips worn away but so were the d-rings you're supposed to attach them to, so I did a more thorough job.

First of all I unpicked the stitching attaching the d-rings to the bag and replaced them with these large rectangular ones. I always save metal hardware from clothing items I mod or that are finally old and worn enough to be thrown away, and I think these came from a skirt. Happily I had two the same, so I used bits of the old strap which weren't too badly worn to make loops to sew them on.

I sewed them by hand with thick top-stitch thread doubled over, and I even did those criss-cross stitching lines to make them extra secure.

I then went to a nearby charity shop hoping to find a cheap bag I could steal the strap from, but even better, I came across this belt, the construction of which was extremely similar to the detailing already on the bag. It was £1, way cheaper than a replacement strap from ebay, which I have also bought in the past.

I didn’t want to cut the buckle off because the belt fabric would fray, so I unpicked the stitching around the buckle instead, and put the buckle away in my crafting box to hopefully reuse in the future - like I said, I save everything.

I wanted the eyelets on the belt to be visible as they match the rest of the eyelets on the bag, so I put the belt through the rectangle and folded it over as far as I could while still showing all the eyelets, then sewed it shut. Again, I did multiple rows of stitching to keep it secure, and I also oversewed down both sides.

I don't have a sliding buckle that would enable me to adjust the strap length, but I never adjust my bag strap anyway, so I just put the strap over my shoulder, adjusted it to a length that I liked, and sewed that end together too. This was a long belt so I ended up doubling it over quite far, but that's good as it will make this section of the new strap extra thick, so hopefully it's extra strong.

And there we go, it looks as if I bought it like this!

[ninamation]

Patchwork Pockets and Inner Thigh Mend

My jeans wore through in the thigh, so I removed the pockets and used the fabric to patch the worn parts. Then I used old jeans to quilt denim pockets and reattached them. I made enough HSTs for a few other patches, but I'm not sure whether I'll keep patching or call it a day.

[healthilyathome]

[munchboxart]

I wanna yap about Goodsmile's new packaging because the arguments against it are pissing me off

According to the company, the new design will cut down on 84% of plastic waste by them.

I'm very happy Goodsmile is making this change, I really fucking hate plastic waste, especially since it's pretty much useless outside of it's original purpose. Also because I think it's ugly in general.

Now, I know most people are upset about the window being gone. The more reasonable argument that I've heard was that you can't tell if it's a fake or not. Now, I don't know how much knock-offs there are of Nendo's, but can't you just ask the person to open the box and take close up photos? Also, if you're that worried about knock-offs, I'm sure there are legitimate stores where they sell officials, or guides on how to tell what's a knock-off and such. But I don't go here that often so I'm just hazarding this as a suggestion.

The other argument I heard against this is branding. Which I think is really stupid. Like yeah, the window is iconic, but it isn't a need. Brands can always do re-brands, at least this one has a positive on why they're removing it.

Also, Gundam and Transformers have made packaging that don't have a window like this and they're still fine. Goodsmile will be fine, they're a massive company anyways, not some indie studio.

Oh and "that it's harder to imagine what the doll will look like" as an argument or something. Which is... huh. I guess if you're looking for a particular angle, yeah, but I'm sure someone out there will make a video reviewing the figure.

The only alternative I can see where it reduces plastic AND gets to use the new packaging is something like this

Just imagine the plastic parts as the paper boxes instead but with the plastic window in front. Although, I think it adds more paper waste compared to what they're going for but whatever.

I kind of lost steam in the middle of writing this, but I'm just frustrated at the people against this. I get what it's like being a collector, I have a bunch of Kirby and Transformers figs. And I also get dealing with knock-offs. Although, Transformers is a surprisingly unique case where they're happy to say that they're a KO LOL, but it still happens (like with the Masterpiece series, I had to research what a KO looks like). But overall, I think the positives of reducing mass waste beats a collectors needs.

Edit: Also, if you're already a hardcore collector, I don't think this really changes anything for you outside of the box design? Just keep an eye out on pre-orders, look at reviews and photos, buy from trusted sources, etc.

[lets-revolt-and-survive]

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diy fabric reuse tips 🧣

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