Organizing for activities of re- : Action-nets that give more than one life to consumer products and their components

With single-use being a defining trait of linearity, the growing interest in the circular economy has increased the importance of reuse, repair, and recycling of consumers´ goods and components: “re-” activities. This research project aims at identifying the organizing characteristics of activities of re-.

Specifically, it aims to identify the obstacles and corresponding solutions to organizing re- activities to lay the ground for a theory of organizing beyond single-use.

The theoretical stance of the project is action net theory which yields an understanding of organizing that departs from how actions are connected to other actions to explain how connected actions are stabilized into organizations. The project’s methodological stance is interventions.

In the last years, the design field has been widely exploring how it might be possible to engage with the re- activities for consumer goods and their components to both enhance these practices as well as support citizens in changing behaviors.

The objectives of the research project are to contribute to the following: - Thriving reuse, repair, and recycle initiatives targeting citizens (via participatory design interventions)- A theoretical understanding of sustainable re- practices, organizing, and infrastructure (via scientific publications) - Sustainable multi-level policy for promoting and supporting re- activities (via a policy brief) - Consumer awareness for, and competence at, re- (via an exhibition)