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

##### Example of product-level slowing:

![Image of a disassembled Nokia phone with parts laid out neatly](../../files/mod_page/content/0/nokie-disassembled-2.png)

href="https://www.hmd.com/en_au/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.hmd.com/en_au/about) are a Finnish company designing phones and other mobile devices. In the past they designed phones for Nokia, but have recently started developing their own devices. Their aim is to make phones that stick around by making them tough, secure, and affordable. Some of their devices are even built to enable href="https://www.hmd.com/en_au/self-repair" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.hmd.com/en_au/self-repair), partnering with iFixit to offer guides, tools and genuine replacement parts. Designing their devices to be repaired allows users to fix cracked screens, replace batteries, and keep their phones in use for much longer. You can purchase their phones from href="https://www.hmd.com/en_au/hmd-pulse-pro?sku=286946224" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.hmd.com/en_au/hmd-pulse-pro?sku=286946224) .

Designing products be easy to disassemble and repair, and partnering with a service provider to offer the needed tools, guides and parts to do so is a textbook example of the Slow approach in action on the product-level. Consider reading up on the href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/law-futures-centre/our-research/australian-repair-network" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.griffith.edu.au/law-futures-centre/our-research/australian-repair-network) to learn more about what is happening in this space in Australia.

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

![Picture of a shop display of Kathmandu-Redu](../../files/mod_page/content/0/Kathmandu-redu-2.jpg)

Global outdoor brand Kathmandu is addressing the issue of textile waste through their pilot program href="https://www.kathmandu.com.au/kathman-redu?srsltid=AfmBOootZEC2vpxoLLG2sBM5D17_CFF1jrkz4UlsSc-13GQOKdAR6Gcv" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.kathmandu.com.au/kathman-redu?srsltid=AfmBOootZEC2vpxoLLG2sBM5D17_CFF1jrkz4UlsSc-13GQOKdAR6Gcv) . This program intercepts used, damaged or otherwise faulty products that would normally be destined landfill. The items are then repurposed by repairing, washing and relabelling them to be resold under the Kathman-REDU label at Kathmandu retail stores in Victoria. These products are currently available at the href="https://www.kathmandu.com.au/stores/kathmandu-galleria-melbourne-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.kathmandu.com.au/stores/kathmandu-galleria-melbourne-cbd) in Melbourne’s CBD. Learn more about the details of this project href="https://www.cebic.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/funded-projects/funded-project-kathmandu-apparel-life-extension-pilot" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.cebic.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/funded-projects/funded-project-kathmandu-apparel-life-extension-pilot).

Kathmandu designs products built for a lifetime of adventure, so a bit of wear and tear shouldn’t mean the end of a perfectly good product. The REDU project gives imperfect garments a new lease on life, which is a perfect example of the Slow approach in action.

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##### Example of ecosystem-level slowing:

![Picture of reuseable nappies in different colours.](../../files/mod_page/content/0/reuseable%20nappies-2.jpg)

The href="https://www.thenappyproject.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://www.thenappyproject.com.au/) is an initiative aimed at implementing a reusable nappy program, in collaboration with 14 Victorian councils. By providing support and resources, the project aims to empower parents and caregivers to choose reusable nappies as an effective and sustainable alternative to expensive, single-use nappies for their little ones. The project builds on a href="https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/reusable-nappies" target="_blank" rel="noopener" (https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/reusable-nappies) managed by the City of Monash, finding that a targeted strategy and campaign on the use of reusable nappies would enable communities to shift an accepted, but very linear, system into a more circular one.

Although the use of disposable items can be accepted as normal in some cases, that doesn’t mean that better, more circular, alternatives aren’t an option. The Nappy Project is an exciting example of the Slow approach on an ecosystem-level, by turning disposables into a reusable service ecosystem. The fact that it is supported by 14 individual councils means that this ecosystem has a wide reach, allowing many parents and caregivers to benefit from the high-quality, toxic material-free nappies.
