Keen to relearn the 'make do and mend' mentality of days gone by, recession-hit consumers are turning to The Amazings, a social venture that sees the over-50s get paid to pass on their wisdom, skills and experience to the generations below.

P&G have been accused of driving innovation too far with new product Tide Pods – even “killing” the laundry soap industry. Yet by acting like a leader, Tide Pods profitably taps into new trends and behaviours that might be the future of housework.

‘Til death us do part’ is usually reserved for weddings. But as sustainability becomes a bigger concern, it could be applied to our prized possessions, from cashmere jumpers to iPhones. But how achievable is this in a world where acquiring and upgrading are the status quo?

Electrical goods are the fastest increasing waste stream in the UK, growing by 5% annually. Registered charity The Restart Project challenges our disposable conditioning, and as repair culture spreads, how realistic is it to invest in a mend rather than replace attitude?