Repurpose Driven Design & Manufacturing: How discarded products and parts get a second life in a new product and retain functional and emotional value

When products are no longer suitable for reuse, repair or refurbishment, they are discarded and recycled, often losing a lot of value (downcycling). Repurpose is a strategy that gives discarded products or obsolete parts a new, high-quality purpose, also known as upcycling. With Repurpose, the value added to the material in the shaping production process or during the use phase is not lost, as is the case with Recycling. For example, with Repurpose, the unique shape, color or composition of an object is preserved in a new product. Repurpose is therefore higher on the circularity ladder than Recycling.

But how do you do that? Designing and producing from an existing product or part is challenging due to, among other things, variation in quality and limited or temporary availability. But it also offers opportunities because you can use unique properties or the origin of a product.

During the DDW the AUAS showcases the results of the research project Repurpose Driven Design & Manufacturing, and informs and inspires the audience to apply Repurpose in their designs.