bic and the irresposibility of disposability

07/14/2008 04:04:45 AM (1)
There comes a point in the life cycle of every technology that a disposable low-cost version can be created.

This usually gives consumer access to be a piece of technology with rudimentary and basic functionality.

Interestingly, it’s the kings of disposability, Bic, who have just announced it's bringing out a disposable mobile phone. Well, they aren’t exactly making the phone, they are just licensing their brand name, suggesting that their brand of disposability has cache and relevance.

Bic built its brand out of disposability first with pens and then with razors. At the time, the advances in plastic technology and production, these products made sense and give consumers access to a couple of core tools for daily life.

Fast forward to 2008, and disposability no longer looks like the smart business model it once did.

Should Bic continue to play the same game?

Is the brand even relevant?

Does it need to re-think how it can play a responsible role by making its products modular and re-usable and using more recycled plastics ?



Posted by Ed Cotton
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Comments
Bad idea
Disposable-electronics, a double whammy of a stupidity in 2008. I really like the idea of a brand like Bic turning disposable on its head and and becoming modular or reusable. They could do it and it would be brilliant. Sadly I suspect they wouldn't agree because disposable used to be the holy grail.
Posted by Jamie Berger on 12/29/2008 06:53 PM
It appears you don't have Flash installed.
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