Check out Keypoint Intelligence’s Sustainability page!
If you want to change something, you first need to state the intention and then make it a habit, a positive routine. That’s exactly what it takes if you want to be a contributor to our planet’s health. In this series, we’ll explore sustainability and provide you with education, tactical or otherwise, that will enable you to make smart business decision around the green movement.
Sustainability has long been a buzzword in corporate responsibility and consumer consciousness but, as our environmental challenges intensify, the concept doesn’t just need reiteration—it needs redefinition. At its core, sustainability is no longer just about reducing harm. It’s about rethinking our systems, redesigning our products, and reshaping our consumption habits to create a circular economy: a system that favors longevity over disposability, and regeneration over depletion.
As we work to move away from the outdated linear model of “take, make, dispose,” it helps to have clear, accessible language around the alternatives. To help clarify these “re-” terms, we have created a visual guide that defines each of these strategies—from reuse and repair to refill and reclaim—providing a concise explanation of what each word means.
| Infographic created by Mark DiMattei, Managing Editor. |
Visualizing the “Re”-Ality of Sustainable Practices
The “re-” framework (e.g., reuse, repair, remanufacture, refurbish) is more than just a set of SEO keywords. These practices are a roadmap for reducing our environmental impact while maximizing value throughout a product's lifecycle.
Reuse and refill, for instance, are powerful actions that consumers can take to limit single-use waste. From water bottles and grocery bags to printer cartridges and packaging, these small changes contribute to a larger shift in consumption culture.
Repair and refurbishment, meanwhile, are essential to curbing the growing problem of electronic and industrial waste. Encouraging repair over replacement and investing in refurbishment programs not only diverts waste from landfills, but also creates local jobs and supports affordable access to technology.
Remanufacturing and reconditioning serve as more industrial-scale interventions. They allow products and parts to be restored to like-new condition using a mix of old and new components, conserving raw materials and reducing emissions associated with manufacturing from scratch.
While recycling has traditionally dominated the sustainability narrative, it's not an end-all be-all solution. Recycling requires significant energy and often results in downcycled materials of lesser quality. It is a critical safety net, yes, but ideally a last resort. Reclaiming materials from waste streams (e.g., concrete, wood) opens opportunities for “sustainable resource management and a transition towards a circular economy.”
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
Ultimately, sustainability isn’t just about what we throw away—it’s about what we choose to value. The “re-” practices push us to see every product not as an endpoint, but as a doorway to a different beginning. For manufacturers, this means designing for disassembly, modular upgrades, and end-of-life recovery. For consumers, it means shifting away from convenience and toward conscious decision-making.
In redefining sustainability, we’re not starting from scratch—we’re revisiting, restoring, and reinforcing the potential that already exists within the materials and systems we use every day. It’s not just about new technologies or bold innovation. It’s about simple, scalable, repeatable actions—“re”-actions, if you will.
Stay ahead in the ever-evolving print industry by browsing our Industry Reports page for the latest insights. Log in to the InfoCenter to view research and studies on sustainability, eco-friendly practices, and aftermarket solutions through our Advisory Services. Not a subscriber? Contact us for more information.
More of Better Print, Better Planet
Sustainability in the Workplace and in Production Print