Platform21: Repair is the New Recycling

Published March 03, 2009

Tags: Design

Durability is one of the main ingredients of green design. Make something that lasts a decade, and you use less resources than making a product that lasts for only a year.

But if those short-term products are easily repairable, they can last even longer. And those decade-long products can last a lifetime.

Amsterdam-based design foundation Platform21 is holding up the concept of repairing as even greater than recycling with its latest project, Platform21 = Repairing. The group's previous projects have focused on hacking IKEA products and using food to make art, provide power and other non-digestive uses.

Within each project, Platform21 holds exhibitions, lectures, discussions and other events, inviting design submissions. For Platform 21 = Repairing, it will also hold repair evaluation clinics and is seeking repair examples, tips and tricks. And to get designers and everyone else thinking about making repair a part of everyday life, Platform21 put together an 11-point Repair Manifesto.

Repair Manifesto

via Core77

Watch - photo CC license by col_adamson

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Platform21: Repair is the New Recycling