When has it started? Roughly around the 1700’s, but to be fair we started the big one in the 20th century.
What happened? Well, it's a long story and I don’t intend on boring you with a history lesson on the matter. In short, we decided that producing more will bring us more profit and we'll tell the nation that this will be good because it will provide more jobs for everyone, and the world will be better and cooler and so on. So, we believed them... the world has in fact become a bit better in the sense of material abundance and technological advancement, but we've overlooked the long-term consequences of our consumption-driven society.
Today, the ethos of design has shifted from durability and repairability to disposability and renewal. The philosophy guiding much of modern product design revolves around encouraging repurchase, upgrades, and subscription renewals, rather than fostering longevity and repairability. While this approach can drive innovation and profitability, it often comes at the cost.
The Shift from Durability to Disposability
In earlier decades, products were built to last. In the golden age of mechanical engineering, cars for example, were marvels of pure machinery. Enthusiasts could tinker with engines, swap out parts, and even breathe life into entire vehicles using nothing but their hands, tools, and ingenuity. These pre-electronic automobiles were like puzzles, inviting owners to understand, maintain, and sometimes even build them from the ground up. Those cars are still incredibly valuable, that says enough by itself. Appliances, electronics, and clothing were designed with durability and reparability in mind. Consumers could expect their investments to endure for years, and when something broke, it could often be repaired, either by the consumer or a professional. This approach was grounded in a philosophy of quality and resource efficiency.
Today, however, many designers intentionally create products with a limited lifespan. Planned obsolescence, the practice of designing products to wear out or become outdated within a specific period, is a common feature in industries ranging from electronics to fashion. The goal is to push consumers toward purchasing new versions rather than repairing what they already own. Take for instance the smartphones that come and go every year with new and improved design. More often than not, so-called "innovations" amount to little more than a fresh coat of paint or, at best, the addition of a solitary feature masquerading as ground-breaking progress. Making you guess the one you bought the year prior to that... Is it outdated? Already!? Am I missing something?
The Rise of Subscription-Based Models
The design shift toward repurchase also aligns with the rise of subscription-based services. Increasingly, consumers are encouraged to renew their products rather than repair them. Software, which once came in the form of standalone products, has moved toward subscription models. For instance, Adobe’s Creative Suite was once a product you could purchase and use indefinitely; now, it requires a monthly or annual subscription. The hardware industry is following suit, with companies like Apple and Samsung offering upgrade programs that encourage consumers to trade in their devices annually for newer models.
These models are not inherently problematic, as they often provide access to the latest technology and features. However, they reinforce a cycle of constant renewal and replacement, further distancing consumers from the idea of repairing and extending the life of their products.
Barriers to Repairability
Modern product design frequently makes repairs difficult or impossible, contributing to the throwaway culture. From proprietary screws and glue-sealed components to software locks that prevent third-party repairs, manufacturers often go to great lengths to make it difficult for consumers to fix their own products.
Take the example of smartphones and laptops. Many modern devices are designed with non-removable batteries and components that are difficult to access without specialized tools. Some companies have even lobbied against right-to-repair legislation, which seeks to give consumers and independent repair shops the tools and information needed to fix products. The result is a system where consumers are often forced to replace an entire device when a single component fails. For a broken screen or failing battery you need to buy a new phone that coast you another full price of the device.
Even in industries like fashion, repairability has taken a back seat. Fast fashion brands (subject I can talk about for ages) produce garments designed for short-term wear, often using low-quality materials that wear out quickly. Repairing these items, if even possible, often costs more than replacing them with new ones. Also, a quote I despite: “What is fashionable this season may and definitely won't be the nest one”. This creates a cycle of disposability, where consumers are encouraged to continually buy new items rather than extending the life of their current wardrobe.
The Environmental Consequences
The focus on repurchasing and renewing products has a big impact on our planet. Manufacturing new products requires vast amounts of resources, from raw materials to energy. The rapid turnover of goods contributes to a growing waste problem, with electronics and textiles among the fastest-growing sources of waste globally. The United Nations reports that the world generates over 50 million metric tons of electronic waste each year, much of which ends up in landfills. Fashion waste is even more concerning, with millions of tons of clothing discarded annually, often after only a few wears.
By designing products for repurchase rather than repair, companies are perpetuating a linear economic model, where products are made, used, and discarded. This is in direct opposition to the circular economy, which advocates for keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, through reuse, repair, and recycling.
A Path Forward
Despite the dominance of the repurchase and renewal model, there is a growing movement advocating for repairability and sustainable design. The right-to-repair movement seeks to empower consumers to fix their own devices and calls for legislation that requires manufacturers to provide the tools and information necessary for repairs. Countries like France are leading the charge, with laws requiring electronics manufacturers to provide repairability scores on their products, allowing consumers to make informed choices. "Reparieren statt wegwerfen" meaning "Repair instead of throwing away"- A German saying I hear a lot for the last few years that I’ve been living in Germany.
Some companies are also beginning to recognize the value of sustainable design. Brands like Patagonia offer repair services for their products and encourage consumers to extend the life of their garments. Similarly, Fairphone, a Dutch smartphone manufacturer, designs its phones to be easily repairable, allowing users to replace components like batteries and screens without the need for specialized tools. Few years ago, Google was developing a modular phone called ARA. The project aimed to allow users to customize their smartphones with interchangeable components, similar to building a PC with various parts. Despite its innovative vision, Project Ara faced significant challenges and was cancelled in 2016.
These examples highlight that a different approach to design is possible—one that values longevity, repairability, and environmental responsibility over endless renewal and replacement. However, for this shift to become mainstream, consumers, companies, and policymakers will need to prioritize sustainability over convenience and profitability.
Conclusion
Focusing on what is trendy or what would be more desirable, we forget what is needed and what is useful. Today’s designers often focus on creating products that encourage repurchase and renewal instead of repair. While this approach can drive innovation and profit, it also contributes to a cycle of disposability, waste, and environmental degradation. As the right-to-repair movement and sustainable design practices gain momentum, there is hope that future products will prioritize longevity, repairability, and resource efficiency. To achieve a more sustainable future, both consumer expectations and corporate strategies need to shift towards these values.