Repair plays a critical role in circular design by extending the lifespan of products and minimizing waste generation. In a linear economy, products are designed with a "take-make-dispose" approach, where they are discarded when they break or become obsolete. However, circular design aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible in a continuous loop.
Repair helps achieve this goal by addressing the issue of planned obsolescence and ensuring products can be fixed rather than replaced. By designing products for repairability, manufacturers can enable easy and cost-effective repairs, prolonging the functional life of the product. This, in turn, reduces the need for new product manufacturing, decreases resource consumption, and limits waste generation.
Moreover, repair also promotes a shift in consumer behavior, encouraging people to consider repairing their belongings instead of immediately discarding them. This change in mindset helps reduce the demand for new products and fosters a more sustainable consumption pattern.
Repair facilities or repair-oriented services are essential components of circular economies. They enable the identification, diagnosis, and resolution of issues, thereby maintaining the value of products within the system for a more extended period. Enhanced repair infrastructure ensures efficient and widespread access to repair services, making it easier for individuals or businesses to get their products fixed.
Overall, repair is a fundamental aspect of circular design, contributing to the realization of a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy where products are designed with durability and longevity in mind, and the throwaway culture is replaced by a repair culture.
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