Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Reflection 3: A radical change in dematerialisation is in the promotion of a
“service economy”, where the services that products provide instead of the products
themselves are what is on sale. “Eco-leasing” or a “product-service system” enables
companies to track their products throughout their entire life span, permitting
a focus on designing for repair, product reliability and longevity. All of which
enhances disassembly and material reutilisation. Retaining customer loyalty, not
only through product satisfaction but also good servicing is a key feature (Oosterhuis
et al., 1996; Goedkoop et al., 1999).
There is definitely some common sense involved in leasing or sharing, partic-
ularly for those products that the great majority do not use on a daily basis. A
typical example is that of the non-industrial diy tool which is on average used for
only ten minutes in its lifetime yet takes hundreds of times its own weight to ma-
nufacture - begging the question “Why own one, if I can get hold of one when I
need it? A product-service system provides me with access to the products, tools,
opportunities, and capabilities I need to get the job done - namely, power tools for
me to use, but not own” (Thackara, 2005).
Principle 11: Re-Economy/Circular Economy
Re-duce, re-use, re-cycle, re-cover, re-pair, re-furbish, re-manufacture, re-sell, re-
consider, re-juvenate, re-create, re-fine, re-view, re-form, re-cognise, re-think, re-
design, take re-sponsibility, assume re-percussions, re-novate ideas, think of re-levant
things, re-invent, re-vise, re-ward, re-gulate and re-organise. Make non-renewable
resources re-newable, etc.
Corollary 1: Move towards a circular economy.
Corollary 2: Give new life to the end of life.
Reflection 1: According to the World English Dictionary, the re- prefix indicates
a return to a previous condition and repetition or restoration of an action again
and again. More than 4000 words contain this prefix in English and in all Latin-
influenced languages expressing the same idea. Yet, Re-Economy is not a simple
series of verbs but a growing political and socioeconomic movement called Circular
Economy which is based on ecological economics, industrial ecology and the ethics
related to the finiteness of natural resources.
Closing material cycles and rethinking the economy is the key action for a new
societal direction. Energy degrades inexorably but materials may be used over and
over again. As Nature functions in cycles, society must do likewise. This is why this
principle is closely related to no. 8: “Nature does not produce waste”. Amongst the
many people that contributed to develop these ideas it is worth mentioning Stahel
(1981) who sketched the vision of an economy in loops to save resources, prevent
waste and create jobs in a performance economy.
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