Designing for Re-Use

This insightful book, Designing for Re-Use, highlights the importance of domestic re-use in sustainability, offering practical guidance for designers and consumers alike.

In Designing for Re-Use, the authors explore the often-overlooked aspect of packaging: its potential for domestic re-use. While packaging is typically viewed as a transient element, meant to be discarded once its contents are consumed, this book argues for a shift in perspective. It emphasizes that re-use is a crucial part of the sustainability triad of reduce, re-use, and recycle, yet it remains under-researched and poorly understood, akin to the 'Cinderella' of these principles.

The text delves into the significant impact that re-using packaging can have on reducing waste and conserving energy. Each item that is re-used represents a reduction in new purchases, thereby decreasing the amount of material that contributes to the waste stream. The authors highlight that while consumers do engage in re-use, it often occurs in spite of, rather than due to, the initiatives of designers and government. By examining how re-use fits into everyday life, the book identifies opportunities for enhancing packaging design to promote re-use more effectively.

Furthermore, the authors analyze various factors influencing packaging re-use, including design specifics and social dynamics. They provide practical insights and recommendations for professionals, illustrating real-life examples that demonstrate how understanding consumer behavior can lead to more sustainable design practices. Ultimately, Designing for Re-Use serves as a vital resource for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of sustainable design.