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While design for disassembly is an emerging approach in the clothing sector, it is already providing demonstrable benefits elsewhere. Printing and photocopying services company Ricoh adopted their Comet Circle™ strategy in 1994, which involves product parts being designed and manufactured in a way that they can be recycled or reused [1].

Ricoh derives a range of benefits, include enhancing its product portfolio with lower-cost models and rendering its offerings more competitive by mixing 'new' and recirculation products.

Ricoh now aims to reduce the input of new resources by 25% by 2020 and 87.5% by 2050, compared to 2007. In general, such improved resource efficiency will reduce carbon, water and waste impacts.

^1.Ricoh, The Comet Circle™

Image credit: Ricoh - The Comet Circle™