Did you notice how products today seem to last less than they used to? Is your phone’s battery starting to die after a few years? Is your computer’s hardware not up to the task for the latest games?
You may be the victim of something called Planned obsolescence. Are you unfamiliar with the term? Let us explain the concept and offer some solutions.
What is planned obsolescence?
There are three types main types of obsolescence.
- Absolute obsolescence is the term for when a product no longer functions for objective reasons, such as a mechanical failure or incompatibility of software.
- Relative obsolescence is a situation when the product is still functional but has been considered out of fashion.
- Manufacturers use planned or programmed obsolescence to ensure that the current version of a product does not become obsolete within a certain time frame. This is a proactive strategy which helps to ensure that consumers will continue to search for replacements for their products.
One of the most well-known historical cases is the incandescent bulb. Although we were all pretty resigned that bulbs need to be replaced regularly, it doesn’t have to be.
“Everlasting bulbs” were created during the early stages in the bulb’s development, but they never saw the light. This was Planned by manufacturersTo ensure that their products are always in demand.
There is actually one bulb called the “Centennial Light”The Livermore Fire Department has had this unit in continuous use for more than 120 years. This is a remarkable feat of engineering, and it’s something that we should all be proud of.
IThe average ncandescent bulb today burns for around 1,000 hours. This is approximately half the life span of the average bulb from the early 1920s. L.E.D.s have a life expectancy of up to 50,000 hours.
There are many ways to plan for obsolescence. The most common include intentionally designing a product that only functions for a certain time or creating an incrementally better model. Manufacturers gamble that consumers will prefer the next generation of products to older models, regardless of which method they use, or a combination of both.
Planned obsolescence can not only be costly for consumers, but it also wastes resources. The WEEE Forum, which is e-waste-focused, estimated that there would be around 250,000 e-waste by 2021. 62.8 million U.S. tonnes57 Million TonnesElectronicsThat year, more than the Great Wall of China, would be thrown away. We’ll get to the environmental cost in a moment.
What are some examples?
One example of planned obsolescence in modern times is the replacement Cycles for smartphones. Although most phones should last approximately five years, most people have to replace their phones every few years. 18 months or lessSome components of the underlying system may even be designed to cut down on this time.
Fashion or adding unnecessary features is another driver. You can justify replacing your phone by adding a slightly larger screen, an extra lens, and other minor features.
Another example is the software industry.
New software often includes new features or file formats that are not compatible with older versions. The same thing can be observed with computer hardware.
Computing power, as an example, Moore’s Law is generally followedThis states that the number and size of transistors on a circuit board will increase by two-thirds every few years. It is predicted that the transistor’s gate length will reach the size of a silicon atom. This means Controlling the flow of electrons becomes more difficult and chips production becomes more costly.
Moore’s Law is applicable until thenComputing power rises dramatically every few years.
This means that computers with a longer lifespan have greater computing power and speeds than computers that are just a few years older. Software is then created that can take advantage the higher computing power of older computers and cannot be used on them. This makes older computers obsolete and allows for modern tasks.
It is possible to swap out damaged or obsolete parts, depending on which computer you have. Sometimes, however, this is not possible with laptop computers.
For example, coffee may accidentally get on the keyboard of your laptop. You could damage some or all of the keys. It is not difficult to find a replacement keyboard. For example, some laptopsThey will require you to disassemble them completely to replace one part.
Similar phenomena can also be seen in other industries like the clothing industry.
Nylon stockings, for instance, can snag or snare and run overtime. These flaws are a reason why older garments are often replaced with newer versions.
Also, clothing is manufactured and marketed to convince customers that it goes out-of-fashion in less than a year. This encourages fashion conscious people to purchase new clothes they may only wear once. ACcording to a 2015 study by the British charity Barnado’s, on average, Each piece of clothing can be worn only seven times before it’s thrown out.
This is also a common practice in the car industry. This is why newer models of cars often have minor improvements or functional enhancements to older models. It stirs up consumer interest.
There are also nonmanufacturer strategy drivers that can lead to planned obsolescence. A type of “planned obsolescence” can also be caused by government regulations.
One of the most recent examples of this is the move of a number of government to Interdiction of diesel engines(and eventually all combustion engines). Although this is purportedly done in the name “Net-zero” and “reducing climate change”, it will eventually cause consumers to replace their cars, such as with EVs.
This is not only inefficient, but it could also lead to a more serious problem.
Is Apple planning obsolescence?
Apple products are one of the most notorious examples of planned obsolescence. The practice has been criticized for years, drawing media attention and consumer attention.
Through a combination anecdotes with Official investigations into Apple’s practicesIt has been noted that Apple has in the past intentionally reduced replacement cycles for Apple products beyond what is reasonable to expect.
Apple phone charger cables, like many others, are notoriously fragile. This means that they need to be replaced more often than other brands.
Professor at Harvard University Sendhil Mullainathan2014 saw searches for “iPhone Slow” spike in days after new phones were launched. This may be an effect of running higher-demand software with older hardware, rather than an Apple policy.
Apple Recently settled A 2017 class-action lawsuit was filed over the issue. The parties agreed to pay customers and state governments payouts. This is also known as “batterygate”.
Apple officially deniesIt uses planned obsolescence.
Despite Apple’s reputation and the lawsuit and settlement, it has yet to be proven that Apple is involved in this practice as an official policy. Other companies, including Apple’s competitors, may also participate in a similar procedure.
Some argue that such practices are ethical, but others disagree. There may be some benefits.
Some have argued that planned obsolescence is good for the economy in the past. Others have argued that the strategy drives, to a certain extent, technological progress in industries like computing. We’ll let you decide.
Is planned obsolescence bad news for the environment
While there are many arguments about the technological advances planned obsolescence could achieve, it is evident that the unnecessarily expended resources and energy to make new products has an impact on the world around them. Each step in the supply chain has an effect on the environment. This includes the mining, extraction, refining, transport, manufacturing, delivery, and transportation of the final products.
Electronics can be particularly polluting, especially when they contain lithium batteries or use other rare earth metals. This is true even for greener products, such as solar panels. Solar panels or electric vehiclesThese products are at the very least designed to last more than a few decades.
They are also manufactured in smaller quantities and are intended to reduce our unsustainable dependence on fossil fuels. This is a calculated compromise. Planned obsolescence, however, will only increase the energy and material consumption.
Importantly, it is important to note that these supply chains provide employment for thousands, if no less than hundreds of thousands of people. But is this too costly for the planet?
This practice has one major problem: what happens to the product at the end of its life? They are usually disposed of in most cases.
Electronics are particularly problematic. Millions of tons of electronic garbage are generated each year.E-waste for shortEach year, around 2.5 billion tons of e-waste are produced. Each year, approximately 2.5 billion tons of electronic waste are produced in the European Union.
Many of the e-waste cannot be reused and can be very expensive to recycle or reprocess in order to extract its components. Anyone who has tried to recover the more valuable elements will know.Like gold, old electronicsFortunately, they will also be able to share this knowledge with others.
Recycling electronics can be very polluting. Most electronic waste will be either burned or treated with acid to get more valuable materials. These practices, even in well-run facilities, are clearly not good for the environment.
For parts that are not recyclable, e-waste can be sent to landfills or otherwise disposed. The parts contain large amounts of toxic chemicals that are not easily biodegradable and can quickly build up in the environment.
It is a huge waste of resources and a loss of future production. Most of the most valuable constituent materials are rare. Elements like Indium, cobalt and neodymium are all common in devices such as magnets, flat screen TVs, and batteries.
If we continue to practice planned obsolescence and do not address the end-of life part of the cycle, we will soon face a serious shortage of materials while simultaneously irreversibly destroying large areas of our planet.
What can you do to prevent planned obsolescence
It turns out that this is a great deal.
One way is through international agreements or government regulation. This could be a very useful area for government intervention, whether you love it or not.
For example, the European Union has recently established the “Security and Privacy” initiative. “Right to repair.” This will eventually include a number of Europe-wide initiatives to improve the reparability of products, including requiring manufacturers to make it easier to repair electronics and measures making the broader economic context more favorable to repair.
This means that consumers will be able to repair older or defective equipment without having to pay high costs. This will be done through the release of information and spare parts to “professional repairs”.
Consumer behavior is a key driver of the practice. People will continue to be satisfied with short-lived products and succumb to the “fashion” whims, but that won’t change.
One of the most powerful controls to this end would be for consumers to boycott new products if they don’t need them. Consumers could also take a stand against the use of proprietary accessories (such as wireless earbuds, or special chargers). Although official versions can be costly financially, aftermarket options that are more environmentally friendly and less wasteful may be available.
Another strategy is to decrease the product replacement cycle. This is not possible for all products, especially food, but it is possible to keep your smart devices and clothing for a few extra years. This will help you to make the best effort to repair or replace worn parts whenever possible.
Always recycle or donate a product that has reached its end of life. If you are looking to buy a new product instead of buying one new, it is worth considering purchasing an older, recycled, reconditioned, or reconditioned product.
What are some examples for sustainable technology?
However, it is important to note that some organizations and even manufacturers are taking steps to address the problem. Let’s see which ones.
1. Fairphone is a modular phone
A product is one of the most innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of technology. Also known as the Fairphone.The Fairphone’s modular design makes it easy to use fair work practices, maximize recycled materials, and sustain sustainability.
The idea behind the phone’s basic design is to allow users to replace broken or obsolete parts with ease, rather than having to replace the whole thing. The battery, camera, and aux socket can all be replaced.
The phone’s gubbins were also specifically designed to make it as easy as possible to fix. Fairphones come with a 5-year warranty. However, you can always replace parts during the phone’s lifetime.
2. Outerwall EcoATM helps you properly dispose off your old ewaste
E-waste is a major problem in planned obsolescence. One company has noticed a EcoATM could be a solution.Outerwall developed the EcoATM to encourage consumers to dispose of their mobile phones responsibly.
The machine analyzes your device in situThe machine then offers you cash, bank transfers, or vouchers. The machine will accept all phones, in any condition. You can also choose to plant a tree and get cash. You get two for the price of one.
The company offers security for your personal information and promises to protect any information left on an old phone. Keep your identity private. It is a good idea, however, to completely erase any personal data from your old smart devices before disposing of them.
3. The Framework laptop could be the only one that you will ever need
Another company is doing its part to combat planned obsolescence. Framework and its modular laptop. This laptop is designed from the ground up to be as repairable and upgradeable possible. It might be all you need.
Most of the components are easily accessible and can be swapped out quickly. If you feel confident enough, they are also clearly labeled so that you can easily identify the components and guide yourself around the inner workings of your computer.
The company also offers free repair guides and has a large selection of spare parts. You can also customize the computer to your specifications.
You can add your parts, install any operating system you like, or choose from the wide variety of products offered by the company. You have many options.
4. Build your computer
Here’s another way to tackle the topic of electronics. Planned obsolescence is to make your own computer. Depending on your tech skills, you can source your computer and build it yourself with relative ease.
This is not only great entertainment and very rewarding, but it also allows you to upgrade and replace parts as needed. It’s almost like preaching to converts, but it’s actually liberating and a great method to increase your computing power over time without directly affecting the environment.
This can be done by you, or by someone else. There are specialist companies that can assist you.
5. Are you a victim to “false economic” thinking?
Electronics aside, you might want a review of all the products you use. “false economy”. Although it is popular to get a great deal, sometimes it might be worth paying more for a better-quality product that will last longer than the cheaper one.
There are many options, but it is often cheaper to buy something that lasts a lot longer than replacing inferior stuff every year. This requires that you are able to afford the more costly item in the first instance.
Shoes One example is the shoes I mentioned above. It is often more cost-effective to buy shoes that last years than to replace them every year. Shoes that are more expensive tend to be easier and cheaper to repair.
You can even find shoes made of recycled materials These are modularized in partTo extend their lives.
This thinking can be extended to other products as well, such as food and other consumables. Making your own meals and buying fresh food will provide a better return on investment in terms both of money and nutrition than buying. Pre-made meals and fast food.
Although it’s nice to have the newest and greatest phone, the “in season” item of clothing or another item, it’s worth asking yourself if you might be better off using your existing stuff.
You may even be the one to start a new trend, who knows?
