The phrase “They don’t make things like they used to” applies to most products from cars to clothes. Companies choose to make their products with cheaper materials to be able to increase profit and produce even more. With that comes the degradation of quality and environmental harm.
This practice is known as planned obsolescence, which Merriam-Webster defines as “The practice of making or designing something in such a way that it will only be usable for a short time so that people will have to buy another one.” This practice results in not only higher consumer spending, but also more product waste.
One of the most famous examples was Apple slowing down software and batteries on older iPhones. This essentially forced consumers to upgrade and buy a more expensive phone. But then, the user is stuck with a device that is almost unusable, otherwise known as electronic waste, or E-Waste.
E-Waste not only includes phones and computers, but also any electronic waste such as lightbulbs or batteries. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022 over 62 million metric tons of E-Waste were produced globally.
Along with E-Waste, the fast fashion industry is another key example of planned obsolescence. Driven by the Chinese retailer Shein, the idea of fast fashion is a constant stream of trends that go in and out of style, all for a cheap price. To keep costs for consumers low, Shein and other fast fashion sites use low quality materials to make their products, along with paying workers very little.
The consistent changing of trends, and products lasting only a few uses after wearing, leads to massive amounts of waste from consumers. The U.S. alone has more than tripled its textile waste since 1990. According to the World Bank, around 2-8% of global carbon emissions in 2018 came from the clothing industry alone.
Although planned obsolescence is pushed by corporations looking to increase their profit with little regard for the consumer or environment, there are ways to fight against this practice. On the side of apparel, donating used clothes and buying secondhand reduces not only textile waste going into landfills but also fights the demand for new items.
By 2025, the apparel thrifting industry is poised to make over $77 billion as more and more people choose to thrift their clothing rather than buy new. However, if one absolutely has to buy a brand new product, they should spend a little extra to get a good quality item. However, for many spending more to get a more expensive item is hard to justify.
Over the lifespan of that product, the cost will ultimately be less than going for a cheaper version. For example, take a low-quality item that costs $5 and a high-quality that costs $10. If the lifespan of the cheaper product is only a third of the span of the more expensive one, by the time one replaces the expensive item, they would have spent $15 on cheap ones.
Also, instead of throwing away a product that has reached the end of its life, find someone who can use it. Until it is completely broken, almost everything can be used beyond its original purpose or lifespan in some way. The less society revolves around a consumerist culture, the better off it will be. If there is no need for an item, think twice before buying it.
Ethan Herx is a sophomore studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
