chrisp
25th Mar 2012, 02:34 PM
Over the years there has been much discussion on the merits of repairing an item versus replacing an item. For example, in the case of houses, there seems to be a point at which it is more economical (dollar-wise) to knock-down and rebuild rather than renovate.
In a different scale, there are old televisions, printers, computers being left on the nature strip for rubbish collection - and perhaps the vain hope that someone might want them. I can't think of too many domestic electrical/electronic items that would be consider repairable.
Another example that pops to mind is cars. Is it better to keep an old car on the road, or is it better to replace it (and recycle the old one) to obtain better fuel efficiency and safety features?
I thought that I'd throw the question of "Renovate, repair, reuse versus replace or recycle?" out there for general discussion. I'll leave it to you as to what item/s to discuss, whether it be a major renovation/rebuild, or a small household item.
When would you consider reusing or replacing?
Is the dollar cost the only, or main, consideration?
Does anyone know of any studies on the full cost of replacing versus recycling?
Do you have any experiences, good or bad, of replacing or repairing? i.e. have you repaired something and wished that you brought a new one instead? Have you replaced something and wished that you repaired the old one instead?
Do you have any success stories (for either repair or replace)?
Have you renovated instead of rebuilding and regretted it? Have you rebuilt and regretted it?
Do you think that the present way of replace (rather than repair) is simply an ongoing evolution, in much the same way as jobs like a tinker (as in itinerant tinsmith who used to repair pots and pans) are a bygone? i.e. is it just a natural evolution to a different way of doing things?
Or, are we being too extravagant with our use of natural resources and turning a blind eye to exploitative labour practices in other countries? i.e. is 'something going to have to give/change', and are we (society) going to have to change at sometime?
I'd be interested in your views and insights.
In a different scale, there are old televisions, printers, computers being left on the nature strip for rubbish collection - and perhaps the vain hope that someone might want them. I can't think of too many domestic electrical/electronic items that would be consider repairable.
Another example that pops to mind is cars. Is it better to keep an old car on the road, or is it better to replace it (and recycle the old one) to obtain better fuel efficiency and safety features?
I thought that I'd throw the question of "Renovate, repair, reuse versus replace or recycle?" out there for general discussion. I'll leave it to you as to what item/s to discuss, whether it be a major renovation/rebuild, or a small household item.
When would you consider reusing or replacing?
Is the dollar cost the only, or main, consideration?
Does anyone know of any studies on the full cost of replacing versus recycling?
Do you have any experiences, good or bad, of replacing or repairing? i.e. have you repaired something and wished that you brought a new one instead? Have you replaced something and wished that you repaired the old one instead?
Do you have any success stories (for either repair or replace)?
Have you renovated instead of rebuilding and regretted it? Have you rebuilt and regretted it?
Do you think that the present way of replace (rather than repair) is simply an ongoing evolution, in much the same way as jobs like a tinker (as in itinerant tinsmith who used to repair pots and pans) are a bygone? i.e. is it just a natural evolution to a different way of doing things?
Or, are we being too extravagant with our use of natural resources and turning a blind eye to exploitative labour practices in other countries? i.e. is 'something going to have to give/change', and are we (society) going to have to change at sometime?
I'd be interested in your views and insights.