Make it Last
Every time a new product is made, it takes a lot of resources - from raw materials and energy for manufacturing, to the fuel used to bring it to the store. Making the products you buy last as long as possible is one of the most effective ways to conserve these natural resources and reduce carbon emissions. Here’s how you can get started and make an impact!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Did you know 99% of consumer goods sold in the United States are trashed within 6 months of purchase? A lot of this unnecessary waste is driven by the “throwaway mindset,” which tells us that our things aren’t worth much and are easily replaced. However, every time we make more new stuff, we take more resources from the environment, depleting it further every time. As a result, in the United States we use a disproportionate amount of our planet’s resources. If everyone on Earth lived the way we do, we would need 3-5 planet Earths to sustain us!
The solution - a Circular Economy where our old stuff finds a new purpose and then eventually become the raw material for new products. One of the main steps in the Circular Economy is to Make it Last and extend the life of things you buy. This way you’re getting more out of the resources used to produce them - and the money you spent on them! When we take the environmental impact of things into account, it’s easier to see the true value of our stuff and keep it in use as long as we can.
The basic rule:
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Before you get rid of something old or broken, think about whether you can fix it or spruce it up and keep using it.
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If you can’t use it any longer, consider whether someone else could get good use out of it and help it find a new home.
Check out our What is a Circular Economy learning action to find out more!
1Fix It!
Fix it! We tend to think of our possessions as disposable, but this doesn’t have to be the case. If you have an item that needs repair, don’t just throw it out! First, try to fix it - you might not think you have the skills, but these days there’s a YouTube how-to for everything. Fixing that rip in your shirt is a lot easier than you might think!
If the repair is beyond your expertise, see if you can have it repaired professionally. It’s often much cheaper to have a professional fix it than to buy a new one.
Look up your local Repair Cafe. Repair Cafes are places where people come together and help each other fix things. Get advice (or give advice!) and come away with your item fixed with no repair costs. Repair Cafes are popping up all over! Check out this map of Repair Cafes to see if there is one in your area. If there isn’t one nearby, consider starting one!
Spruce it up! Maybe it’s not broken, but it’s looking used or is out of season - fix it up! Put a fresh coat of paint on it or, if it’s a piece of clothing, think of something new to wear it with. We often get caught up in having the latest thing, but there is such meaning and value in fixing up our things and giving them new life. This way, they have personality and a story to tell! Maybe it was something your aunt gave you, or it was repurposed from a shoe to a planter, or you found a way to make an old trend new again. Be creative and celebrate your stuff!
2Connect and share
Some things you just don’t need anymore, or you may have things that are underused. If that’s the case, try to find a new home for it instead of throwing it in the trash or find someone to share it with. Here are some tips to get you going...
Connect with neighbors. Next time there’s something you want to sell, share or give away, look closer to home. Most neighborhoods have some way to post messages, from bulletin boards to online platforms like Nextdoor and Google groups. Sharing, reducing and reusing with your neighbors saves energy and resources. It’s also a chance to meet your neighbors and build community!
Expand your circle. To expand your options, larger lists like Freecycle, eBay, Buy Nothing groups and Craigslist provide another great way to post your item and get rid of it quickly. Also, some repair shops will take broken items for free, fix them and sell them, making it even easier to extend the life of your used things with no cost to you.
Lend & Share. If you have something that you don’t use often, but could be useful to others like tools, portable appliances or electronics, consider joining or starting a lending library in your neighborhood.
Donate. If items are gently worn, passing them on to someone who needs them will save resources and reduce your environmental impact. Help people in your community by making important items accessible, even on a tight budget. Many organizations like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, and local shelters and churches will be happy to receive your donated items. Your donations may be tax deductible, so don’t forget to ask for a donation receipt!
Congrats! You’ve committed to reducing what you send to the landfill whenever you can —saving resources, energy, and money! And remember to recycle things that can’t be reused! Learn more on the Recycle Action page.