Why Sustainability Needs Longevity
As consumers are tapping into a more eco-conscious mindset, they’re also changing their consumer behaviour. A recent global report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, commissioned by WWF, shows that online searches for sustainable goods globally have increased by 71% over the past five years.
Customers are now demanding a more sustainable approach from businesses and products that last longer. Here is why longevity is key to sustainability and how Novograf’s products embrace it.
What does product sustainability look like today?
In an ideal world, all the products that we use would be comprised of raw materials that can then be reused. The only net resource consumed over the product’s lifetime would be energy.
The real world, of course, operates slightly differently. The good news is that there are still ways we can minimise our ecological footprint through extending the lifespan of the products we produce and consume. That way, as much use is gained for each kilogram of waste produced at the end of the life cycle of a product. That’s what longevity stands for.
The three Rs of sustainability
There are several aspects that ensure the longevity and sustainability of products, and the three Rs of sustainability – reduce, reuse, and recycle – are at the core of it.
Reduce – At Novograf, it’s our mission to maximise material usage and minimise waste, both process and product. We’ve implemented clever nesting techniques in order to utilise offcuts, and we’re always striving to “make right first time”.
Reuse – It’s important that brands adopt practices that reinforce sustainability throughout the whole supply chain. For example, we reuse packaging to reduce waste.
Recycle – Using natural or recycled materials is key to the sustainability of products. At Novograf, we strive to use non-PVC products where possible. Our base materials comprise of 30% recycled materials, and we’re working towards developing 100% recyclable products.
All these small measures combined have resulted in <0.73% wastage in the last 12 months and challenging targets for the future.
But alongside the three Rs, there are two other aspects that directly feed into longevity – product quality/durability and repairability. Here is how they reinforce the longevity process.
Product quality and durability
For a product to last, it needs to be made of durable, quality materials. Novograf is a validated member of high-quality construction suppliers you can confidently engage with, making your supply chain safer. We are also Considerate Constructors accredited, ensuring reduced risk and improved safety and sustainability on all projects.
Not only that but the production process also needs to be handled with care, involving skilled workers and robust equipment. Novograf’s team have decades of combined experience in the commercial fit-outs and surface solutions industry in addition to talent and skill.
Before launching a product, it’s important to assess the item’s quality and potential life span. Of course, the product will reach the end of its life cycle at some point, and that’s when it can be disposed of consciously. But the longer it lasts, the better it is for the environment.
Rethinking longevity with repairability
As an innovator and advocate of environmental practices, Novograf is rethinking how the products can be made to last longer, and repairability is the answer.
Continuously replacing products generates more waste and CO2 emissions, uses more natural resources, and results in higher consumer spending. By creating a product that can be repaired, we’re saving the planet one repair at a time.
If a section of the surface of one of our products gets damaged, for example, you only need to replace the patch that needs repairing instead of the whole thing. That extends the life span of our products by another ten years compared to traditional surface products.
We offer customers options to conserve, protect, and extend the life of existing furniture items while reducing waste. Our 3D surface emulations and range of external and internal graphics can wrap wall panels, counters, units, tables, desks, and more. This means that you can easily change the colour and brand design without replacing the whole unit. This is a win-win situation both for the environment and your budget.
The path to a greener future starts with the small changes in our lives. We are happy to be a part of the change and are hoping to pay the eco mentality forward with more and more customers embracing sustainability.
