Our consumption habits are constantly evolving, fuelled by a relentless stream of new gadgets and innovations. But have you ever wondered why perfectly functional items suddenly seem outdated or malfunction within months or years of buying it? It’s not just in your head, some companies implement a practice called “planned obsolescence”, where products are deliberately designed with a limited lifespan, pushing consumers towards frequent replacements. This creates more sales for the manufacturers at the expense of high environmental and economic costs. But how does planned obsolescence work exactly, and what are the more sustainable alternatives to this business model that are gaining ground?
Planned obsolescence: a recipe for waste
Planned obsolescence takes various forms. There’s functional obsolescence, where features become outdated due to rapid technological advancements. Then there’s deliberate design, where products are built with cheaper, less durable materials, making them prone to breaking down quickly. Finally, there’s perceived obsolescence, where marketing campaigns and style changes subconsciously convince consumers that their products are “old” even if they still function perfectly.
The environmental impact of planned obsolescence is alarming. The constant stream of discarded electronics and appliances creates a growing mountain of e-waste. Manufacturing new products requires resource extraction and energy consumption, while e-waste disposal often leads to toxic materials being deposited into the environment. Planned obsolescence encourages a throwaway mentality, where consumers are constantly pressured to upgrade to the “latest and greatest,” often discarding perfectly functional items.
Economically speaking, planned obsolescence creates a cycle of dependence on manufacturers. Consumers are locked into a system where they constantly need to buy new products, even if their existing ones could potentially be repaired or upgraded. This model prioritizes short-term profits for manufacturers over long-term value for consumers.
Product as a Service (PaaS): a shift towards sustainability
PaaS offers a refreshing alternative to the planned obsolescence model. Instead of selling products, companies under PaaS models offer access to a product’s functionality as a service. Consumers pay a subscription fee for the use of the product, rather than paying for ownership, with the responsibility for maintenance and repairs falling on the service provider.
This approach offers numerous benefits. Manufacturers have a stronger incentive to design products for longevity and repairability, as their revenue stream depends on the product lasting longer and therefore needing less frequent repairs and replacements. This reduces waste generation and promotes a more circular economy, where resources are reused, and products are kept in circulation for longer periods. For consumers, PaaS can be more cost-effective in the long run, as they avoid the upfront purchase cost and only pay for the time they use the product.
Modular designs
There are also different business models and concepts that embrace more sustainable practices. Modular designs are those where a system is divided into smaller parts (modules) that can individually be replaced, adjusted and upgraded. This model has various advantages in terms of sustainability.
First of all, because a single component can be repaired or replaced rather than the entire product, it can extend product lifespan. Second, as the product can be disassembled, it’s easier to recycle the components. Third, it’s efficient: it’s easy to customize to a consumer’s specific needs without needing to build an entirely new product: the company already has the ‘building blocks’, which is also making it more adaptable if the consumer wants something different over time. Lastly: it can be creative and fun!
Modular furniture promotes consumers to ‘play’ with the parts and you can easily create fresh looks. Modular designs overall implement circular practises, promote durability and reusability and reduce waste.
The rise of the Right to Repair movement
A growing movement is pushing back against planned obsolescence. Consumers are demanding “Right to Repair” laws that would allow them to have access to the tools, parts and manuals needed to repair their own devices, extending their lifespan. This would, for example, allow you to change the battery of your phone rather than purchasing an entirely new phone.
What companies are embracing the PaaS model?
Several companies are offering access to their products as a service rather than selling them outright. Here are some examples:
Building a more sustainable future
The fight against planned obsolescence has already started. The shift towards a more sustainable future requires a conscious move away from the wasteful culture of planned obsolescence. Consumers can support companies with sustainable practices like PaaS and modular models and choose products with a reputation for durability and repairability. Also, advocating for “Right to Repair” legislation empowers consumers to extend the lifespan of their existing devices. Manufacturers, on the other hand, must move away from short-term profit motives and design products with longevity and repairability in mind.
Through conscious consumerism and creative entrepreneurs, we can create a system that prioritizes long-term value, reduces waste generation, and adopts a more responsible approach to consumption.
All images in this blog post were designed by Freepik.
