From the dead end to the cycle - opportunities and challenges of innovative product cycles in the context of private households aka "free the cellar"
From the dead end into the cycle - Opportunities and challenges of innovative product cycles in the context of private households
- In-house research project of the Chair of Sociology of Technology and Environment and doctoral project of Marlene Eimterbäumer funded by: German Federal Environmental Foundation
- Duration: January 2023 - April 2026
- Contact person: Marlene Eimterbäumer, Melanie Jaeger-Erben
It has been scientifically proven that the amount of man-made or anthropogenic mass has now overtaken the amount of biomass on the Earth's surface. The (over)filling of the world with man-made things is also reflected in the everyday domestic life of industrialized societies. Studies on material culture provide examples of the overstocking of modern households. They show how people accumulate goods in cellars, garages, attics and other storage spaces.
The research project presents the results of "basement interviews", a collaborative exploration of storage spaces. Against the backdrop of social practice theory, it offers insights into material practices beyond a supposed 'throwaway society' and aims to understand how things can be put back into motion to fund circular practices. In particular, it explores how storage spaces and associated socio-spatial practices can be transformed to create dynamic storage spaces and fund the 'circularity of things'. Dynamic storage spaces are characterized by active human-thing relationships in which stored goods are used, maintained and repaired, and goods that are no longer needed are passed on through circular practices. An important aspect is therefore the restoration of active human-thing relationships. This happens through the process of re-evaluation, in which things become actors in thinking about the future. The aim of the research project is to investigate how storage spaces can be considered more thoroughly in circular economy strategies, as they offer potential for saving resources and extending the life of products.
Previous publications in the context of the project:
- Hein, T. (2024). More than enough. Why do we have so much stuff and keep buying more? And can we somehow get rid of this greed? A treasure hunt into the innermost. Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazine.
- Jaeger-Erben, M. (2023). Keynote: Abundance, boundlessness and harmful creation - The thick planks of transformative consumer research. BMUV project "Agenda Zukunftsorientierte Verbraucherforschung".
- Jaeger-Erben, M., & Hielscher, S. (2022). Chapter 4 Tools and workshops - localization, spatialization and materiality in: Verhältnisse reparieren: How repairing and do-it-yourself changes the relationship to the world. transcript Verlag.
- Jaeger-Erben, M. (2022). lecture script. Inventory - Dealing with affluence in a limited world. Inaugural speech held at Brandenburg University of Technology.
