The practice of planned obsolescence for consumer tech and appliances can lead to high costs for consumers, as the lifespan of these products decreases over time. This can be especially frustrating for household appliances that are expected to last for multiple years.
The hosts discuss planned obsolescence and how things seemed to last longer in the past, citing an example of an old refrigerator that lasted for 50 years and could be refaced to keep up with style changes.
The decision to repair or replace a home appliance depends on the cost of the appliance and the cost of repairs. It may be more financially sound to replace an appliance instead of repairing it, especially if replacement parts are unavailable.
A discussion about the negative impacts of 'planned obsolescence,' including consumer waste and unnecessary consumerism, which was first recognized at a 1954 advertising conference by industrial designer Brooke Stevens.
The episode discusses how investing in high-quality, long-lasting items like a KitchenAid mixer, a durable coat or Patagonia's lifetime guarantee clothes and shoes, could save you money and considerably reduce waste over time.
The founder of OLIO, Tessa Clarke, discusses the global sharing economy movement and its potential to transform our collective approach to waste and consumption.