The Industrial revolution has impacted humanity in many ways. It triggered migrations, created job opportuinities and caused wars. But arguably, the most profound impact of industry is that it completely changed our lifestyles. But nowadays, industrial actions are responsible for almost half the world’s carbon emissions. And sadly, one of the most infamous secrets of industry are contributing to the increase in global emissions more than almost anything else. And that is manufacturing products with the main intention to fail to ensure customer loyalty.
This sinister concept is nothing new, in fact light bulb manufacturers have been using this technique for almost two centuries. And the modern lighting industry is nothing different. Along with this particular industry, many industries, especially general electrics and electronics share this trait in common. But why is that? The simple answer is ‘economics’. By implying this technique, manufacturers profit several times more than they would if they have had selled legitimate products.
Planned obsolescence contributes significantly to environmental degradation. When products are deliberately designed to have a limited lifespan or become obsolete quickly, it leads to a staggering amount of waste. Discarded items end up in landfills or incinerators, releasing harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. By banning the manufacturing of products with the intent to fail, governments can curb unnecessary waste generation and reduce the strain on natural resources.
Manufacturing products with built-in obsolescence also undermines consumer rights and damages trust in the marketplace. Consumers invest their hard-earned money in products with the expectation that they will last a reasonable amount of time. However, when products fail prematurely, consumers face financial burdens, as they are forced to replace or repair items more frequently than necessary. Laws prohibiting planned obsolescence would protect consumers’ rights, promote fair trade practices, and ensure that products meet reasonable quality and durability standards. Moreover, by encouraging the production of longer-lasting goods, these laws can foster a sustainable and resilient economy.
There are several solutions to this problem. And the most promising answer seems to be introducing laws that ban the manufacturing of products with the intention to fail. The introduction of such laws could potentially solve several issues such as pollution, economics and trade relations.