# Case study: Narrow-approach in action
*Activity type: page*

##### Example of product-level narrowing:

![Example photograph of a Rendine Construction](../../files/mod_page/content/0/Redine%20constructions%20%281%29-2.jpg)

href="https://www.rendine.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.rendine.com.au/) is designing and producing a prototype modular building, using obsolete building components form the Victorian School Building Authority’s href="https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/relocatable-buildings/policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/relocatable-buildings/policy). By designing a building that is modular and easy to dis- and reassemble, they can be adjusted and changed to suit multiple functions. The components that are being used in the design of the modular building would normally contribute to waste and recycling, but can now remain in use and replace the need for multiple new buildings.

The use of modularity to make their building solution flexible enough for multiple uses, is a good example of the Narrow approach in action on a product-level. At the same time, you might have picked up on how this is an example of the Slow approach as well, as the modular nature of the solution allows for the same building to stay in use for much longer. This is a strength of the five approaches of the Circularity Deck, which can be mixed and matched to suit your needs and opportunities.

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##### Example of business model-level narrowing:

![Library of things - logo](../../files/mod_page/content/0/library%20of%20things-2.png)

Many of us probably have a cordless drill sitting in the shed, and maybe use it a handful of times a year before it goes back to collect dust on the shelf. In fact, a lot of the stuff we buy and own falls into this category of rarely-used products. Around Victoria and the rest of Australia, more and more Libraries of Things are popping up to provide an alternative to this. Many Councils now offer such Libraries where communities can borrow, use, and then return a variety of items instead of buying them. From href="https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Libraries/Our-Collections/Library-of-Things" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Libraries/Our-Collections/Library-of-Things) to href="https://library.frankston.vic.gov.au/Community-Connection/Library-of-Things" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://library.frankston.vic.gov.au/Community-Connection/Library-of-Things), href="https://www.myli.org.au/resource-category/library-of-things/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.myli.org.au/resource-category/library-of-things/), and anywhere in between and beyond, you are able to find these Libraries of Things to help communities consume less by using what’s already available.

By encouraging communities to buy and own less, without really impacting their ability to still use the products they need, Libraries of Things are a fantastic example of the Narrow approach on a business model-level. There is a lot of overlap with other strategies such as offer products as a service and increasing the use-intensity of products, showing how many solutions can target multiple approaches at once.

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##### Example of ecosystem-level narrowing:

![Shorefront aerial view at Bass Coast Shire](../../files/mod_page/content/0/bass%20coast%20shire-2.jpg)

Bass Coast Shire has experienced strong population growth over the past few years, resulting in rising traffic congestion, especially during peak tourism season. To try and solve this problem, Bass Coast Shire Council, the Department of Transport and Destination Phillip Island are undertaking pilot for a href="https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/PTondemand" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/PTondemand). By using clever routing algorithms that calculate the most efficient pick-up and drop-off points, this new public transport network will be much more efficient with the same number of vehicles as the traditional bus network. By switching to electric busses on top of that, this new network will be able to achieve better outcomes with a whole lot less material and resources.

The way this project improves the efficiency of the local public transport network is an excellent example of the Narrow approach on an ecosystem-level. The use of clever routing algorithms prevents empty busses from driving around on unpopular routes, meaning that the use-intensity of those busses is improved.
