Advancing the circular economy: Extending product lifespans and reducing e-waste.

Over 50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually, with only about 40% being recycled in the EU and much less in the US and Asia. This trend is highlighting the need to extend consumer goods' lifespan through repair, reuse, and recycling.

While surveys show that 77% of EU consumers prefer repair over purchasing new products, they are often unable to do so due to the high cost of repair or lack of servicing. To address this issue, innovative solutions such as eco-design and circular business models like resale, repair, rental, and product-as-a-service are emerging to meet growing demand for sustainable, durable, and repairable products.

In this discussion at IFA 2023, we tackled several crucial aspects:

• Strategies for making products more durable.
• Initiatives and legislative changes to combat the throwaway culture and the effects of repair and reuse on the electronics and appliances sectors.
• The opportunities and challenges of transitioning to circular business models.
• The choice between scaling reuse models or focusing on smaller-scale pilots for manufacturers.
• Considerations for businesses when designing products for repair, reuse, and repurposing.
• Successful case studies of solutions and initiatives that reduce waste in production and consumption.

Watch the video below to gain a deeper understanding of the views and the discussion among experts in the field of sustainability and electronics.

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