From Scrap and Build to Rebuild."

From Scrap and Build to Rebuild."

A shift in thinking. Scrap and build, which supported economic growth in the past, is too burdensome from an environmental perspective in terms of resource depletion, resource recycling, and energy consumption. As scrap-and-build is now being reexamined, the idea of rebuilding has emerged. It falls into the Reuse category of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and may include Reform (refurbish), Repair (repair), and Retrofit (functional renewal). In other words, it is the process of modifying and revitalizing used or obsolete products in order to extend their service life.

From Flow to Stock

Stock maintenance is another example. In the case of buildings, this means extending the service life of old buildings by refurbishing them rather than simply demolishing them. The same can be said for products and commodities as well as buildings. Refurbishing, reconditioning, and remanufacturing are also popular in the second-hand market for used clothing, home appliances, musical instruments, and daily necessities, Remanufacturing, and others.

The Changing Role of Manufacturers."

The job of manufacturers is to produce goods, but it is not surprising to see the emergence of manufacturers that do not produce goods. As a matter of fact, a certain bag manufacturer has stopped producing bags and switched to a business specializing in repairs. If bags are carefully cared for, they can be used for decades. The company's business model, "taking good care of things reduces environmental impact," and profit margins have been steadily rising.

Changing Sei-katsu-sha Awareness

Sei-katsu-sha are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of "mottainai" (wastefulness) and of "buying things that last a long time" in their consumption behavior. In manufacturing, ideas that take rebuilding into consideration are also being questioned.