Planned Obsolescence of Products EcoNetwork event

Environmentally Responsible Purchasing

Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.auLeyla Acaroglu Director, Eco InnovatorsMelbourne, Australia www.ecoinnovators.com.au

Planned Obsolescence Life Cycle Thinking

EcoNetwork 23rd July 2009Ecodesign Centre Wales

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Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.auPlanned Obsolescence

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Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.auThe intentional failings of a productThe shortening of a products lifeManipulation of a market through product lifespans

What is planned obsolescence?

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Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.authe deliberate policy of making a product become rapidly out of date or unserviceable, as by changing minor characteristics of a model, in order to ensure continual sale of new goods. - The Macquarie Dictionary (2005, p1459)

Definition of Planned Obsolescence

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Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.au

Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence- Bernard London 1932Instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary.- Industrial Designers, Brooks Stevens 1954

Descriptions

https://www.adbusters.org/category/tags/obsolescence5

Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.auGreat Depression and post World War economyUsed to stimulate economic growth and generate employment and combat frugality Wanted to facilitate growth by making people have to consume more frequentlyCorporations realised they could make more profits from continual consumption Create long term sales volumes by reducing the time between repeat purchases

When did it start and why?

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Leyla Acaroglu :: www.EcoInnovators.com.auCount how many mobile phones you have owned and list the reasons that you had to purchase a new oneConsider how often your have had to replace household electrical items such as kettles and toasters

Does it really exist?

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Vance Packard and the Waste MakersThe Waste Makers was published in the 1960s and set out to expose the social and environmental degradation resulting from wasteful society and planned obsolescence in products the systematic attempt of business to make us wasteful, debt-ridden, permanently discontented individuals.

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our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfactions, in consumption We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced, and discarded at an ever increasing rate - George Nelson, Industrial Designer

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Types of Planned Obsolescence

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Technical Technical: an existing product becomes dated when a new product is introduced that improves the function of the product in some way.

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Aesthetic Aesthetic (style): a product that is still functional becomes unfashionable in our minds because styling changes make it less desirable.

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Functional Functional: when a product is intended to break down or wear out within a given time.

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Service / system When the service of system that supports the product is changed or altered to encourage the consumption of a newer product

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Notification Lights or parts that change colour to inform consumers that they need to purchase a replacement product even through the product will still function

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AdvantagesManufacturersIncreased revenue from salesRepeat customersSeen as a technological leader, rapid innovation ConsumersCheaper upfront purchasing costsSatisfaction of buying the latest,, safest or best productsBeing a trend setter or fashionable Being able to afford to have everything

Adapted from: https://msc-technology.wikispaces.com/file/view/ipod_family.jpg17


DisadvantagesManufacturers Increased dissatisfaction from customersLegal ramifications Bad reputation / media coverage ConsumersCompetitive consumption - "keeping up with the Jones"Forced into continual consumption cyclesOngoing replacement or upgrading costs Pressure to consume from advertising, peers and media

Adapted from: https://msc-technology.wikispaces.com/file/view/ipod_family.jpg

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Why is PO a problem?Environmental impacts Because everything created comes from nature All resources are finite, some more then othersCreates inequity as consumers are not in control or aware of the lifespan of the products that they purchasePromotes wasteful society

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Product Life Cycles

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Designer influences Over 80% of a products social and environmental implications are decided and locked in at the design stage (USA EPA)Designers are the agents that have some of the greatest capacity to dictate the social and environmental implications of consumer goods

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Resource extraction

All resources come from nature at some stage Resources are finite and should be used conservativelyEquity issues around the use and waste of resources Generates huge amounts of waste

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Manufacturing

Inputs includes: materials, energy, water etcOutputs include carbon emissions, waste water, toxic substances, waste materials etc Equity issues with current manufacturing practices

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Packaging & Transportation

Transport and packaging happens at EVERY stage of a products life Greater impacts from air and road transportationOver packaging is a waste of resources

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Use

Resource use during life such as energy or water etcContinual consumables such as cartridges or cleaning products creates impacts Equity issues over safety, toxicity etc

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End of Life

Loss of resources to landfillLimited recycling systems and capacity in different countries Recycling is often down cycling

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Ramifications of PO

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Final Thoughts Its not someone else responsibility to solve social and environmental problems its everyone's responsibilityDesigners are in a unique position to influence change over corporations and consumers alikeDont wait to be asked just do it Be a subversive designer

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Thanks for your time

Questions:[email protected]

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