The Movement

The real math of longevity versus disposability — how durability, warranties, and design choices affect our wallets and waste.

Aug 1, 2025

As shoppers grow selective, resale platforms gain traction—signaling a durable shift toward pre-owned quality.

www.voguebusiness.com

Books

Reads that inspire thoughtful ownership and durability.

• Annie Leonard

The Story of Stuff

How products flow from extraction to disposal -- and what smarter consumption looks like.

• Yvon Chouinard

Let My People Go Surfing

Patagonia’s founder on responsible business, durable gear, and repairing what you own.

• Walter R. Stahel

The Performance Economy

Why service- and longevity-focused business models outperform take-make-waste.

Data Points

Snapshots that reveal how durability, value, and culture intersect.

Globally, we produce 400 million tons of plastic waste every year -- much of it single-use.
UNEP • 2023
The U.S. throws away about 300 million pairs of shoes each year.
Soles4Souls • 2022
Extending the life of clothes by just 9 months reduces their footprint by 20–30%.
WRAP • 2017
Producing a new smartphone emits about 70 kg of CO2 -- most from manufacturing, not use.
Greenpeace • 2017