Planned Obsolescence is a Crime Against Sustainability

We live in a world where our devices seem to be programmed to self-destruct. Phones slow down after a few years, printers mysteriously stop working when new models hit the market, and clothes fall apart just as they go out of style. This is no coincidence - it's planned obsolescence, an intentional strategy used by manufacturers to shorten the lifespan of products and encourage us to buy more.

The Cost of our Disposable Culture

Planned obsolescence might seem like savvy business practice to keep profits up and shareholders happy, but it comes with a devastating environmental toll. Landfills swell with mountains of electronic waste (e-waste), as millions of tons of discarded gadgets leach toxic chemicals into soil and waterways every year. We often face products deliberately designed to resist repairs - glued casings, unavailable spare parts, or even proprietary screws - all making perfectly functional items disposable. Not only does this waste precious resources, but it drains our wallets and nurtures an unhealthy obsession with consumption.

But wait, isn't planned obsolescence good for the economy?

Proponents argue that frequent replacements drive innovation and economic growth, creating jobs in the process. While there's some truth to that, the long-term costs outweigh the short-term benefits. The environmental damage, resource depletion, and social costs of waste are significant and cannot be ignored.

The Lightbulb Conspiracy

The notorious "Phoebus cartel," formed in the 1920s, was an agreement among major light bulb manufacturers to intentionally shorten bulb lifespans, ensuring consumers purchased bulbs more frequently. This historic conspiracy underscores how deeply entrenched planned obsolescence has become.

Other Real-Life Examples of Planned Obsolescence:

• Apple throttling older iPhones
  In 2017, Apple faced backlash for slowing down older iPhone models to encourage users to upgrade. This practice, later confirmed by the company, highlights planned obsolescence in tech gadgets. (The Guardian - Apple apologises for slowing down older iPhones with ageing batteries)
• Fashion industry's "fast fashion"
  The rapid churn of trendy clothing encourages over-consumption and discards, creating mountains of waste. (Earth.org - The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion, Explained)
• John Deere tractors
  Farmers have faced major difficulties repairing their own tractors due to restrictive proprietary software, prompting significant right-to-repair advocacy. (F.T.C. Sues Deere Over Unfair Equipment-Repair Practices)

Shifting the Blame: Where Does Responsibility Lie?

While the onus often falls on consumers to make "sustainable choices," it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations we face within the current market structure. Blaming individuals ignores the systemic factors that perpetuate planned obsolescence and limit our options.

The factors that fuel throwaway culture include:

• Manufacturers rarely account for Scope 3 emissions
  The full environmental footprint of a product's life-cycle from manufacturing to disposal, often go unaccounted for. The true carbon footprint of a product can be opaque, making informed choices challenging. There's almost no incentive for a consumer to consider the consequences of their choice beyond the purchase price.
• Limited access to sustainable alternatives
  While the demand for eco-friendly products is growing, it's often met with limited availability and higher price points. This can be a barrier for many consumers, especially those with lower incomes.
• Unequal playing field for sustainable brands
  Smaller, sustainable companies often lack the marketing budgets and economies of scale to compete with industry giants, making it harder for them to reach consumers.

The Need for Systemic Change

Addressing planned obsolescence requires a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond individual consumer choices:

• Governments: Implement policies that incentivise sustainable design, mandate extended producer responsibility, and promote right-to-repair initiatives.
• Manufacturers: Embrace transparency, design durable and repairable products, and invest in circular economy practices for easier recycling.
• Consumers: Advocate for change, support sustainable brands when possible, and demand better product life cycles and accountability.

By acknowledging the shared responsibility and working collectively, we can create a market that prioritises sustainability and empowers consumers to make informed choices for the planet.

So, what can we do?

We can challenge planned obsolescence through conscious and collective actions:

• Demand better products. Support companies that design durable, repairable products with longer life-spans and transparency in their designs.
• Embrace the right to repair. Advocate for laws that give us the right to fix our own devices and access spare parts, without voiding warranties or breaking agreements.
• Buy smarter. Opt for pre-owned items, invest in quality products built to last, and embrace minimalism.

By challenging planned obsolescence and making conscious choices, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and the planet. Let's break the cycle of disposability and move towards a world where products are built to last, not to landfill.

Success Stories and Champions

• Right-to-repair movement
  This movement advocates for legislation granting users the right to repair their own electronic devices, challenging manufacturers' restrictions and promoting product longevity (https://repair.org).
• Fairphone
  This smartphone company prioritises sustainability and ethical sourcing, offering modular design for easy repair and extended life cycles (https://www.fairphone.com).
• Patagonia's "Worn Wear" program
  This initiative encourages customers to repair and resell used Patagonia clothing, extending the life of their products and reducing waste (https://wornwear.patagonia.com).
• Open source software and hardware
  Communities supporting platforms open source software and hardware like GNU/Linux, LineageOS, Pebble, provide powerful alternatives to proprietary products, often giving new life to seemingly obsolete items.