Our grandparents and great grandparents grew up in an environment of hand-me-downs. From a used sweater, to a well worn couch, and even to appliances, the older passed to the younger as they outgrew or no longer needed a product. By the time a product was discarded, it had truly reached “end-of –life” and the buyer had certainly gotten his money’s worth. The modern generations rejoice in buying NEW things and reject the idea of used products. The need to live at the cutting edge, especially in the technology sector can easily be seen by the rate that new products are introduced into the markets. Used products have gotten a bad rap and are considered inferior.

In addition, we are a fickle group, accustomed to purchasing a product, using it, and then returning it because we don’t like it, a new model has come out, or we no longer need it. Retailers are quite compliant when it comes to returns, and many accept all sorts of returns for all sorts of reasons. The result of this “consumerism” is we are producing, buying and discarding more and more products. While there may be some positive results for a manufacturer who has to constantly replenish the marketplace, there are many environmental and economic consequences. All of the returns are a burden on the manufacturer and the store, both of whom lose revenue. The consumer is in a position where he or she is constantly spending more and more money to frequently replace common household products. And finally, our environment is suffering in multiple ways. Our factories use exorbitant amounts of energy and resources in the production of replacement products and the old products are glutting our waste stream.
We have to change our thinking!

The consumer is aware of the value of recycling our waste; remanufacturing is simply recycling our reusable goods. Just as recycling protects our environment and helps our economy, so does remanufacturing. It is the most ecologic as well as the most economic way of having access to products that use the newest technology at affordable prices. Clearly a win for the consumers, especially when we consider that they are receiving the same or even better up-to-date quality of their product.

Remanufacturing returns high quality products to the marketplace, keeping them out of the landfills, and saving the resources and energy needed to produce new goods. In addition, the consumer is getting a 100% effective product at a fraction of the cost.

What is remanufacturing?

Remanufacturing is a relatively new and often misunderstood industry. Remanufacturers receive returned and damaged goods from consumers, retailers and the original manufacturer. The method of remanufacturing is to separate the entire product to its individual parts and components. All parts are cleaned and inspected and defective parts are repaired or replaced. The product is reassembled and tested. Remanufacturing is the most efficient and effective way to save resources, whether energy or materials, of any form of recycling.

As unlikely as it may seem, remanufactured products are BETTER than their original cousins and this is where the reality of remanufacturing separates it from the consumer myth of a remanufactured product. Ray Jonaitis, Sr. VP of Operations at PRC Industries, a major Product Remanufacturer, gives the example that in the case of one major floor care manufacturer, the rejection rate is significantly low. He states, “We have processed hundreds of thousands of vacuums and the rejection rate is 3% as compared to 5%-7% for the original manufacturer.” He goes on to explain, “The reason for this is very simple; part conformity is insured through multiple inspections and, in most cases, exceed the original factory standards.”

Remanufacturing is the ultimate form of recycling. Governments from a local to global level are recognizing the value of remanufacturing. The consumer benefits because the remanufactured product has undergone thorough testing and inspection and will meet or exceed the original factory standards. Sometimes an original weakness or defect in a product design is discerned and corrected in the remanufacturing process. Care is given to the external appearance as well as the mechanics of a product, so the product is essentially “new.” In addition, remanufactured products sell for less than the original product making it even more appealing to the consumer.

For the benefit of the consumer and the environment, bring back the “hand-me-downs!”