Planned obsolescence
Planned obsolescence and its environmental impact
How often do you get a new mobile phone? And how about a computer? Or a TV? The chances are you have been 'upgrading' more frequently in recent years due, to a great extent, to the phenomenon of planned obsolescence. This phenomenon means that not only do technological gadgets stop working after a certain time but they are also considered obsolete when a better version is produced, or they simply become unfashionable. The result of this is that the amount of electronic waste is growing constantly and threatening the environment.
In recent decades, we have become accustomed to a fairly short product lifecycle, because products either wear out or become obsolete. In many cases, when an appliance breaks down, the manufacturer tells us it is not viable to repair it and suggests we buy a new one. However, these products stop working because they are designed to stop working and, in many cases, the manufacturer has carefully scheduled the end of their useful lives to force us to buy new products.
The dark side of this vicious cycle is that we have no option but to continuously replace certain products, generating immense quantities of waste, which is known as electronic waste. In the case of the European Union, it is estimated we produce more than 2.5 bn tonnes per year
External link, opens in new window.. The alternative to this problem is the circular economy, which entails reusing, repairing and recycling existing materials and products whenever possible to extend their life cycle.
What is planned obsolescence?
Planned obsolescence refers to products designed to fail prematurely or become obsolete in the short to medium term. Generally, the aim is to sell a new product or an upgrade to it, a practice that is already banned in some countries. Its origins are attributed to the US automotive industry, when in 1924 a General Motors executive, Alfred P. Sloan Jr., suggested launching new models every year to maintain sales figures.
Which products are affected by planned obsolescence?
The planned obsolescence strategy has been applied to a wide range of consumer products for decades. As we said, cars are a clear example, but so are electronics, with everything from computers, televisions, mobile phones to household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, etc. and software. Fashion is a serious problem because the textile industry is one of the worst polluters, as are the toy and furniture industries.
Advantages and disadvantages of planned obsolescence
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Advantages:
The main advantage is that it promotes economic growth and, consequently, the creation of new jobs. However, while this model has been linked to boosting consumption and technological renewal, its environmental and social impacts make it necessary to move towards more circular models.
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Disadvantages:
Producing goods with a short lifespan increases the extraction of raw materials and energy consumption, generating large volumes of waste –often toxic– which contributes to the degradation of our ecosystems. Furthermore, greater demand for products also requires greater resources, thereby leading to the overexploitation of natural resources. Areas rich in biodiversity become polluted because of such activities.
Types of planned obsolescence
Below we review the main types of planned obsolescence:
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Systemic
This occurs, for example, when a computer is no longer compatible with the latest version of the operating system or when it is not possible to connect new peripherals because the port standard has changed.
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Perceived
This occurs, for example, when smartphone or clothing designers change the style of their products so that older models are perceived as less desirable.
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Date-based
Some products simply stop working or are deactivated after a certain date, forcing their replacement even though they are still in good working order.
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Legal
This occurs when regulations prohibit the use of a product; for example, the ban on diesel vehicles in the centres of many European cities with the aim of reducing emissions.
Examples of planned obsolescence
Specifically, these are some of the practices involved in planned obsolescence:
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Preventing repairs
Many consumer electronics products are designed so that users cannot repair them or replace parts. Sometimes this is physically impossible, as the casing cannot be opened without breaking or the parts are soldered in place to prevent replacement.
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Planned obsolescence
This involves designing a product to deteriorate quickly, for example by using less durable materials in the parts most subject to wear and tear. In the case of computers, there comes a point when software updates are no longer compatible.
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Non-replaceable batteries
Some laptops, mobile phones and electric toothbrushes have lithium-ion batteries with a lifespan of two to three years, which cannot be replaced by the end user, forcing them to buy a new device.
Planned obsolescence and the environment
The most immediate consequence of constantly replacing products that either work perfectly but have gone out of style, or which have broken before they should, is an increase in electronic waste. The build-up of this waste, which is still not recycled as it should be, damages the environment which, in turn, contributes to climate change.
Furthermore, manufacturing cycles are becoming increasingly shorter and consume greater quantities of raw materials, some of which are scarce and strategic, such as coltan, which helps to reduce the size of batteries. The product distribution process also consumes large amounts of energy as well as increasing air pollution.
Electronic waste: a growing problem
2014 41 million tonees
2016 45 million tonees
2022 62 million tonees
What can you do to reduce it?
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Repair
Try to repair your products to reduce your consumption.
Reuse
One man's trash is another man's treasure.
Recycle
If you discard the product, dispose of it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What can proper electronic waste management achieve?
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It conserves natural resources
Recovered materials can be used to manufacture new products, saving resources and reducing emissions.
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It protects the environment
Recycling encourages sustainable waste management, some of which is toxic, and reduces the amount of land occupied by landfills.
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It creates jobs
It increases the number of people working in the recycling sector and creates a market for different types of recycled materials.
Source: International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
SEE INFOGRAPHIC: Electronic waste: a growing problem [PDF] External link, opens in new window.
What can we do to reduce planned obsolescence?
- Buy less and buy better: consider whether we really need a new mobile phone, computer or household appliance, or whether the one we already have still meets our needs. We should also prioritise products with a good reputation for durability.
- Opt for second-hand: buying second-hand, renting equipment we use only briefly or taking part in swap networks extends the useful life of products.
- Look after and maintain your items: follow the instructions for use, carry out regular maintenance and avoid uses that accelerate wear and tear.
- Repair rather than throw away: use technical services, local repair shops, Repair Cafés or community initiatives to have items repaired.
- Avoid fast fashion: choose timeless products that won't go out of fashion quickly, so you can continue using them even as trends change.
Circular economy model at the Iberdrola Group
At Iberdrola, we are working to be more respectful of nature through our three strategic sustainability priorities: climate action, biodiversity protection and the circular economy.
For this reason, our sustainable business model is based on circular economy principles, a resource-management system that prioritises reducing the use of new raw materials through process efficiency, extending product life cycles and promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.
We apply this approach throughout our value chain, building a decarbonised future alongside strategic partners who share our vision and values for environmental protection and preservation.
In 2025, we carried out circular economy initiatives related to wind turbine blade recycling, radioactive waste storage and reducing gas consumption.