deliberateused

Deliberateused is a term used to describe the practice or philosophy of intentionally choosing and using secondhand, refurbished, or reused goods. It prioritizes planned consumption and asset longevity over novelty, aiming to extend product lifespans and reduce waste. While not tied to a single industry, deliberateused is discussed in contexts such as fashion, electronics, furniture, housing materials, and general consumer culture. The approach commonly involves awareness of lifecycle impacts, repairability, and resale options, as well as participation in repair cafes, thrift networks, refurbishing services, and swap events.

The term is a blend of deliberate and used. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it has appeared in sustainability and maker communities since the 2010s and has been used in policy writings and media to describe a mindset of consumption that foregrounds reuse.

Benefits of deliberateused include reduced resource use, waste diversion, and opportunities for skill-building and affordable access. Challenges include inconsistent availability and quality of items, potential hidden costs of repair, and concerns about privacy and data security for used electronics. Access to secondhand goods can be uneven across communities, and the growth of deliberateused depends on supporting infrastructure such as repair networks, refurbishing services, and transparent resale marketplaces.

Related concepts include the circular economy, upcycling, repairability, secondhand markets, and thrift shopping. Deliberateused represents a consumer and design approach that complements broader sustainability and waste-reduction efforts by emphasizing intentional reuse.