Reusing products: why a longer life matters

Man maintaining a camera at a table with several lenses.

Making things last: the environmental value of reuse

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Making things last: the environmental value of reuse

A European study explores the potential of the circular economy. Maintenance, repair and second-hand use can help reduce demand for resources, including in photography.

Almost a billion tonnes of greenhouse gases: that is the potential reduction in the climate footprint of European consumption estimated by an analysis from the European Environment Agency. Published in May 2026, the study examines 17 circular economy interventions, from extending the life of buildings to shared mobility and longer-lasting electronics.

The findings highlight a practical opportunity: getting more use from resources we have already turned into products. Maintaining, repairing and reusing products become part of an environmental strategy that also applies to everyday possessions.

What the 22% figure means

In the most ambitious scenario, the interventions could reduce the climate footprint of EU consumption by 22%, or around 944 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, the unit used to compare the warming effects of different greenhouse gases.

The calculation includes impacts generated abroad to produce goods consumed in Europe. Housing, mobility and food together account for up to 85% of the estimated reduction.

This is a potential outcome, dependent on the model’s assumptions and implementation of the measures. The technical report compares a baseline with alternative scenarios. It does not measure savings already achieved or provide an automatic forecast. Changes in the economy, prices and habits can affect the results. The figures describe EU consumption, rather than a separate estimate for every European country.

A product’s life can continue beyond its first owner

Replacing an object may end our relationship with it while leaving years of useful service ahead. The EEA distinguishes the moment of replacement from the end of actual use. A device passed on to someone else remains in service; one forgotten in a drawer is effectively on hold, even if it still works.

Photographers will recognise the difference. A lens left unused after a change of photographic interests can still do the job it was designed for in another person’s hands.

Reuse preserves the function of an object. Recycling recovers its materials. These are different stages, each relevant according to the product’s condition and whether it can still be used.

Maintenance starts before a breakdown

Longer service lives also depend on repairable products, accessible servicing and available spare parts. The EEA’s analysis of electronics identifies practical barriers: difficult repairs, costs that compare poorly with buying new, and incompatibility between hardware and software.

Another factor is replacing working equipment when newer models arrive. For a photographer, a useful starting point is the work the equipment needs to do. Does the camera still deliver the required results? Is the limitation an essential feature, a repairable fault or something that would rarely be used?

Answering these questions helps identify the right intervention. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions and leave delicate work to competent technicians.

When second-hand use benefits the environment

The benefit of reuse depends partly on what it replaces. A second-hand purchase that avoids or postpones a new purchase has a different effect from an additional item that remains unused.

The EEA points out that a longer lifespan does not always lead to an equivalent reduction in sales of new products. Changes in consumption need to be considered as a whole.

Repairs also have impacts: they require materials and sometimes transport. For appliances that use substantial energy while operating, assessing replacement means comparing manufacturing impacts with those of continued use.

There is therefore no universal percentage of emissions saved by buying a used camera. That would require an assessment of the specific product and its alternatives. The underlying principle remains useful: keeping something in use while it still meets a need can reduce demand for new resources.

Photographer in a yellow jacket adjusts a camera on a tripod in front of a mountain range.

A practical choice for your next photography kit

The second-hand market allows equipment to move between people with different needs. RCE Foto supports this process by buying, taking in part exchange and selling used photographic equipment that has been checked and tested.

Before your next purchase, take stock of what you use, what needs attention and what has been sitting idle. If you genuinely need another tool, explore the RCE Foto used equipment catalogue. If you have equipment you no longer use, request a valuation and give it the chance to take photographs again.