Convenience, convenience, convenience. The modern ‘we’ have a sense of entitlement when it comes to convenience. We’re busy and have better things to do than wash our silverware or (God forbid) compost our trash! So instead, we reach for the plastic.

And so, someone at Bic thought it was the perfect time to introduce the disposable cell phone.

A great post by Influx Insights questions the responsibility and down right brand and product value of disposability.

“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.”

Read Bic’s perfect foil (and markedly clever business model) Terra Cycle, which creates products out of trash. The concept is the ultimate ‘duh’ and what started with their flagship worm-poop fertilizer re-packaged in old soda bottles, is now expanding into a team-up with Kraft to bring us fashionable bags made of Capri Sun wrappers–clever, eco-friendly AND nostalgic… oh you’re good.

It’s ideas like this that will (and need to) succeed in the new market place. We agree with PSFK that “this idea of creating products with an extremely limited life cycle, or made in a way that doesn’t allow for easy recycling seems hopelessly dated and out of touch with current realities.”

I mean, yes, people are still addicted to convenience–they still feel entitled to plastic bags at the store, and to chuck takeout containers and accoutrement like tissues…(you know you do) but as long as the trend is favoring a move out of that mentality and a critical look at the value of goods, it’s time for companies to take a look at their own values and the ones they try to promote (ie: maybe it’s time for Bic to get a re-brand). Then again, maybe they’ll just be giving Terracycle more fodder to make cool stuff with.

Bet you could build a pretty neato green and orange house using all those phones as bricks (or someone could hack it into re-usability… any takers?)

Via PSFK

If you’re in the San Fran area and looking for some more good insight after Cause for Drinks, check out PSFK’s SF conference. It’s a mighty ticket price, but the speakers are sure to inspire anyone ::cough boss:: to purchase one. We’ll be there if you can make it, so make sure to say hello.