Planned obsolescence is when goods are manufactured in such a way to wear out or break very easily so that they will have to be purchased repeatedly or serviced several times.
Practices[edit | edit source]
- Low-quality products
- Short innovation cycles
- End of technical support for hardware
- End of software update support
Response[edit | edit source]
- Buying more durable goods.
- Repairing broken items. For example, repair cafes.
- One thing to bear in mind about full life cycle analyses is that older machines may work longer but may also be more inefficient. So they may save on materials and their manufacture, shipping, etc. but cost more in energy.
Policy and laws[edit | edit source]
Right to repair[edit | edit source]
Right to repair is a legal right for owners of devices and equipment to freely modify and repair products such as automobiles, electronics, and farm equipment. This right is framed in opposition to restrictions such as requirements to use only the manufacturer's maintenance services, restrictions on access to tools and components, and software barriers.
Obstacles to owner repair can lead to higher consumer costs or drive consumers to single-use devices instead of making repairs. While the global community is concerned over the growing volume of the waste stream, especially electronic waste, the debate over the right to repair has been centered on the United States, India, and the European Union. Right to repair may also refer to the social movement of citizens putting pressure on their governments to enact laws protecting a right to repair.