Like all systems, you have to measure all the inputs and outputs. Assuming a durable good is more efficient and/or safe than a remanufacturable one is exactly t

Like all systems, you have to measure all the inputs and outputs. Assuming a durable good is more efficient and/or safe than a remanufacturable one is exactly that: an assumption. It is frequently wrong. Non-recycled aluminum is horrible but recycled is a nearly perfect resource. Glass is about as good as it gets. That mug in the example might require horrible amounts of highly toxic inputs to be created and not be able to reclaim any of those input debts through recycling. By looking at the totality of the production, you come to realize that durable good is actually a really bad idea (all assumptions here in this specific instance are totally pulled out of my butt... do not take as a claim to accuracy... thanks)