Many resources and raw materials on our planet are finite. If we as a society do not want to drastically change our lifestyle and consumption, we need new ideas and innovations in the production of our goods. The focus is certainly on the multiple use of technical devices. However, not least because of our membership in the European Remanufacturing Council and our contribution to C-SERVEES, a circular economy initiative, we know that there is still a lot of work ahead of us all when it comes to remanufacturing. Our Evergreen program is an example of how Lexmark intentionally creates sustainable solutions for the entire product lifecycle, from design to use to recycling.
The printing solutions business also offers starting points for boosting the topic of remanufacturing in society as a whole. For example, legal requirements, such as procurement targets in the public sector, could ensure a minimum number of remanufactured devices. PR and advertising campaigns based on this would educate companies and the general public about the advantages of these products and position them as an alternative. In short, the key to increasing market share for refurbished devices is increased customer confidence. But how can this goal be achieved?
One way is to make reprocessing easily traceable for the consumer, for example in the form of a QR code. With quick and easy access to information about a device, buyers can access relevant historical and environmental data – from the CO2 footprint and energy impact generated by the production of the device, to pressure consumption and repair history. Technologies such as blockchain ensure the truthfulness of the information provided. This approach simplifies the valuation of old equipment and also facilitates pricing.
Reprocessing is definitely elementary for reducing the amount of waste, but the bottom line is that there is actually no way around truly sustainable development and technology. This also includes the longevity of a product, which on the one hand must have value beyond the end of its life and on the other hand can be prepared with minimal effort – in terms of cost and time. This can be ensured by a modular design where software, firmware and security functions are easily upgradable and new functions are easy to integrate. Spare parts must also be designed for durability and be able to be installed in several models.
Such measures could significantly boost the reprocessing business. The interaction of retailers, reprocessors, producers and, above all, us as customers could create a flourishing market that supports us on the way to a circular economy.