Product renewal or sustainability?

Product renewal or sustainability – what can we do to extend the lifespan of our used things?

There are all kinds of names around these days – reuse, re-use, reuse, renewal, and sustainability. They all really amount to the same thing – making sure we take care of the things and products we already have.

People often come to me and ask about various alligator – and crocodile products – whether they have value, and what they are. Many have assets worth keeping or selling to others who want to do that.

But the common thread is that they are not cared for or treated properly.

For example, take a crocodile leather belt – we know that a crocodile often lives 70 years (alligator 50 years) – these are the most expensive and best qualities you can get. And such belts last 10-15 years with rough use. But you can easily extend this – if you treat the belt twice a year with honey and use a soft brush – for example a horsehair brush, you will nourish it and build patina that can turn the leather belt into an heirloom.

Quality shoes can last a long time, but maintenance is often poor. Don't wear the same pair every day – let them rest a bit and polish them regularly. If the sole wears out, a cobbler is the right person, giving new life to the leather and sole.

The starting point for a much longer life is that the product is of good quality. Clothes, for example – if they are 100 % quality with no synthetic materials mixed in, they can be reused. Secondhand stores and Fretex are good at presenting goods that have a longer life and make a strong effort to raise awareness against endless buying pressure from brands. The fact that well-known fashion brands have up to 6 collections per year says a lot about how much waste and pollution takes place. There is discussion about going back to two main collections and perhaps a small extra one – in the spirit of the times. Just as it was in my Levi`s years in the 80s.

On Finn you often find things of good quality that are being sold off or that you can get for free – come and pick up our kitchen units for free, furniture and electrical items, often of high quality, sold incredibly cheaply.

A leather sofa in, for example, aniline – may well be many years old – and be a cherished piece of furniture; many people do not know that it can be renewed by “painting” it again – it was bottlegreen – while today’s preference is taupe. No problem. But people often do not bother to “wash” it once a year and give it a little polish to prevent it from drying out so that it can be maintained.

We have lived in a welfare society that does not take care, but uses and throws away. When times get tougher, we must change a way of thinking that values preservation – today’s young people have not seen the crises of 1989 and 2008. The desire to have everything – quickly – is the rule of thumb. Cabins, cars, a rental extra apartment, etc. have been common. Good incomes on both sides have created a spending pattern that means most of it goes to consumption.

And many people have now ended up in a situation where they have assets, but little liquidity. High interest rates, poor rental returns, electricity prices and more expensive food are, for the first time, creating a problem.

It’s time to think carefully and think differently… take better care of what you already have.