5. Future prospects

As we have seen in this article, dematerialization represents an approach that makes it possible to combat various environmental problems at the same time, by reducing them at source. The basic assumption of this approach concerns the functioning of the economy and its link with the environment: each extraction of matter from the natural sphere leads, through the economic uses to which it is put, to a greater or lesser environmental impact. Reducing material input to the economy at source therefore has the effect of lessening the impact of human activity on the natural environment. Despite some criticisms of this approach, it is now relatively well known and accepted, not only in environmental research, but also by many political decision-makers and representatives of industry.

After reviewing the history of the dematerialization approach, this article highlights...