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Where’s the Rest of the Story?
“L.A. city data shows requests to remove illegally dumped, bulky or electronic waste, as well as household appliances increased nearly 19% in the first seven months of 2020,” @abc7la reported on Aug. 19, 2020. Why is that the end of the story, every time? Why won’t people pay to properly dispose of it? Why is proper disposal always framed as landfill? Why do we lack attachment to durable goods? We have a furniture waste crisis. How can we continue to feign surprise over this phenomenon? Who does this reductive narrative help? Who does it harm? Illegal dumping is a symptom of much larger forces. How do our systems— built on…
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Ikea Sets its Eyes on Reuse
Ikea wants you to forget everything you know. Despite being famous for flimsy product, it now believes the future is all about reuse. A huge global brand, Ikea has more than 422 stores in 50 markets and sells over 9,500 products. It is well known for its snappy furniture designs, massive stores, affordable prices, and DIY at-home assembly. It helped make ‘flat pack furniture,’ something commonly known for its mass production and low quality, irresistible to young consumers. IKEA shoppers dominate the mid-20s-mid 30s demographic. Though IKEA bristles at being considered disposable, it is now calling attention to its need to ‘close the loop.’ Modern speak for recapturing product–often headed…
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Out of Style = Out of Luck?
Bad chair day: When 90’s fashion makes a roaring comeback and appreciation of crop tops and chokers is high, but adoration of overstuffed floral chairs is not. Bad human day: We’ve built global systems that fuel planned obsolescence over local reinvention for the community good. Discarding something fully functional when a fabric or shape feels outdated or out-of-style is a highly conditioned behavior and often, is intentionally, the easiest option available. Good Earth day: Padded seating is highly malleable. A talented reupholsterer can breathe fresh new life into ANY well-made piece. The potential to customize and reinvent a seat/chair/sofa/couch is limited only by one’s imagination. Now that’s a strategy that…
