Gjenbruksgraden

Gjenbruksgraden, literally the reuse grade, is a concept used in sustainability discourse to express how suitable a material or product is for reuse rather than disposal. In practice it functions as a metric that aggregates factors related to a product's potential to be used again, refurbished, or repaired, thereby extending its lifespan and reducing waste. The term is primarily used in Norwegian contexts but is also encountered in broader Nordic and European discussions on the circular economy.

Calculation and components: Its calculation is not standardized across industries, but common elements include design for reuse and repairability, modularity and ease of disassembly, durability, material composition and the availability of established reuse or refurbishment channels, and the economic viability of reusing rather than recycling or landfilling. Scales vary: some schemes use 0–100, others letter grades. A high gjenbruksgrad indicates a product that can be easily repaired, upgraded, and redistributed, with components that can be separated and sorted with existing infrastructure.

Applications: Industries such as packaging, consumer electronics, textiles, and construction materials have begun to incorporate reuse-grade assessments into procurement and product design. Governments and organizations may set targets or labeling to guide producers toward higher gjenbruksgrad products.

Limitations: Because there is no universal standard, comparisons between products or brands can be difficult. Data on reuse potential and channel availability may be incomplete. The metric may conflict with other goals, such as safety, performance, or cost, requiring careful balancing.

See also: Circular economy, Reusability, Repairability, Recyclability.