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TRIZ 40 Principles

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22. Convert harm into benefit

Sometimes harmful or undesired effects, such as the creation of waste, result from the process. A simple conversion of harm to benefit is when the heat from a vehicle engine is used to warm the people in the car. Many industries born from inventively looking at how waste can be not only recycled but also put to good use. If something does not work well, ask 'where else would this limited effect be useful?' You can even increase the harm to create benefit, such as making enough flammable waste gasses to heat the building.