reuse & repair

[Atom]

Here are some possible suggestions to the problem posed in the original post:

Learn to fix your own stuff:
Some basic troubleshooting and repair skills can go a long way. Sure it may not be economical to pay someone else fix your stuff, especialy after you transport it to their shop or have them come to your house (in the case of large appliances). Sure, this is easier for those who are mechanically inclined, and own lot of tools already, but this IS a web site devoted to personal development, and learning to fix things is similar to learning about anything else. Fixing your own stuff can save you money and save you time. It's also pretty satisfying to reallize you've taken care of the problem yourself.

Sell your broken item on eBay:
You may be able to recover some of your investment by selling your broken item on eBay. Search the words parts repair right now and you'll currently find over 3,900 items on eBay, with a good number receiving bids. I'd rather get a few bucks for something I can't fix (or can't be bothered to fix) than add to a landfill.

List your broken item on Freecycle.com:
So maybe you can't get someone to pay for your broken item. But maybe someone is willing to take it for free. You won't get any money for it, and you'll still need to buy a new one, but if you're environmentally conscious, you'll feel good about sparing it from a landfill. Freecycle is a series of Yahoo groups, based on geographic area. I don't know if this system extends beyone the U.S., but if you're in the U.S., there's likely a group in your area. (There are two in the county I live in). This option is also great for items in good working order, that you'd feel guilty throwing away, but wouldn't necesssarily want to sell or ship either - like that double stroller up in the attic, or that ugly chandelier you just removed from your dining room.

Donate your item to science:
My kids love taking things apart. They will spend hours taking old electronic appliances apart. The items never get put back together, and ultimately the pieces do end up in a landfill, but they learn how to use tools, learn how things are put together, and use the pieces to make their own creations. Just make sure to provide appropriate supervision and unplug any electronic appliances at least a week before disassembly to give any capacitors within a good chance to discharge. Many schools and summer camps (Camp Invention for instance) have activities disassembling appliances. You might be able to donate your item to one of these groups.

[skydust]

i think it already is fully possible to create products to be more long lasting, and recyclable, but this wouldnt benefit the economy. its all about capitalism. by making something short lived, they have a guarantee that there will be a regular influx of money when people need to replace their items. just think about ink cartridges, batteries, one day lenses, etc. its all purposely made to finish and run out, to keep up the consumption, and also, i believe, to keep people in the mindset of lack/fear.

without going too deep into conspiracy theories, im sure most of us are aware of that the government uses fear tactics on the general public in order to keep them from realising their true potential. this is just another way to do that, and to keep them in power.

[Still Growing]

Outback,

I'm glad you clarified. I know how it can be when you write; its not so easy to get out a point you wish.

Its interesting how we all can see logic but sometimes two people are really making different points.

Take care,