brukabruke

Brukabruke is a concept in sustainability discourse that describes a deliberate approach to extending the life of products through repeated use, repair, upgrading, sharing, and refurbishment. It frames consumption as a cycle rather than a one-off event and emphasizes systems that support longer product lifespans.

Etymology and scope: The term is a neologism that draws on Nordic roots associated with use and practice. In scholarly and policy discussions, brukabruke is used to denote practices and policies that prioritize durability, reparability, and modularity over single-use convenience.

Key practices include designing for durability and repairability, offering modular components, maintaining accessible repair services and spare parts, establishing lending and sharing platforms, and integrating product-service systems and refurbishing networks. Governments and companies may promote brukabruke through extended producer responsibility, repair cafés, and public procurement criteria that favor repairability.

Impact and challenges: Advocates argue that brukabruke reduces waste, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and preserves resources. Critics point to higher upfront costs and convenience barriers, need for skilled labor, and the complexity of aligning stakeholders across supply chains. The concept remains a topic of ongoing research in circular economy debates.