https://www.ifixit.com/News/80311/repair-makes-cents
"Making products repairable has many well-touted benefits for the environment
and society. It reduces waste from discarded products and lowers carbon
emissions from producing new ones. It facilitates a more efficient use and
recovery of valuable resources, particularly critical raw materials, whose
extraction has adverse effects on communities and the environment at extraction
sites. Moreover, repairing products fosters local prosperity by helping develop
technical skills among consumers and technicians. And it builds a sense of
community when repairs are done collectively. As Mathew Lubari said in a speech
at Fixfest 2022, repairing products collectively “promotes peace”. So,
repairing products is an effective way to contribute to sustainability.
Despite all these benefits, in the business world, it’s the bottom line that
counts. Financial targets are typically prioritized over sustainability
targets. Businesses need to make profit to stay in business. So what, if any,
is a manufacturer’s financial interest in making products repairable? It turns
out, repair is more than just good for people and the planet—it’s good for
profit too.
We often hear from repair-reluctant original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
that if people fix their stuff, they won’t buy more (new) stuff. They feel that
repairable products jeopardize the sales of new products, bringing profits
down. The truth? That is just thinking within the box, or line, of the linear
economy. Repair offers the opportunity to keep products valuable for longer.
And thus, it opens up opportunities for new business models, including parts
sales, take-back programs, service programs, selling used or refurbished
products, and the sale of modular, fashionable upgrades. By implementing these
circular economy strategies, businesses can create new revenue streams. So,
even if people choose to buy fewer new items, it doesn’t necessarily result in
a loss in revenue or profit."
Via Rixty Dixet.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
