CASE STUDY: How consumer information tools promote product lifetime extension practices
The lifetime of many products is becoming shorter and shorter, and vast amounts of waste are being produced. According to the report “The Long View”, product lifetime extension is the postponement or reversal of the obsolescence of a product through deliberate intervention. The extension of products’ lifetime makes a compelling case towards circularity as it enables a radical decrease in the use of natural resources and in waste generation, while preserving the economic value embedded in the products.
Within the framework of the Product Lifetime Extension Working Group of the One Planet Planet network Consumer Information Programme, UN Environment Programme and Akatu Institute led the development of a series of case studies that illustrate how consumer information tools help promote product lifetime extension practices. The objective is to provide real-life examples of different approaches that can be used to extend the lifetime of products.
Cases studies are part of a project supported by the French Ministry of Ecological and Solidary Transition that aims at pushing progress towards product lifetime extension policies and practices worldwide and better engage consumers by raising awareness and improving communication on product lifetime extension.
The four new case studies are available in English:
The Repair Club (‘Club de Reparadores’) is a movement promoted by the non-governmental organisation Artículo 41 that seeks to promote repair as a strategy for responsible consumption and sustainability practice. The rationale is that extending the lifetime of products is an effective way to combat the throwaway culture.
Greensole is an Indian-based social venture whose mission is to refurbish discarded shoes with soles still in good condition and donate them to children in vulnerable situations. Greensole also upcycles the discarded shoes and sells them to new owners.
Cashify is an Indian-based e-commerce platform for reselling, repairing and recycling electronic products. The company offers repair services for mobile phones or laptops, as well as enable consumers to acquire refurbished ones, or sell used smartphones to others in the same neighbourhood.
The Longtime® label is an independent label aimed at giving assurance that certified products are reliable, repairable and designed to last. The label is applied on the product and it provides information on its expected robustness and reliability, on its repair possibilities, and whether it offers efficient technical support and quality guarantees.
Explore the resources we developed on the topic on the Product Lifetime Extension Hub! The Hub gathers reports, case studies and other relevant materials on measures and processes to be taken by the private sector, governments, and consumers, towards accelerating the circular economy by extending the useful life of products.
If you’re interested in engaging and contributing to the Consumer Information Programme and this working group on Product Lifetime Extension, please reach out to ciscp@un.org!