DIF session Radical Reuse – Impacts, Technologies and Opportunities

Technology is disrupting how we consume products leading to radical reuse and lower environmental impacts. Economic analysis suggests smaller loops, such as maintenance and reuse, hold the greatest potential for value creation in a circular economy. Research indicates that product consumption—when accounting for full life cycles — is among the most unsustainable of human activities. Technology allows stakeholders of all types to not only rent and share products, but also to collaborate and connect within (and across) sectors to optimize physical asset utilisation. This radical reuse can increase profits, improve access to products, while simultaneously reducing consumption, waste, and socio-economic pressure.