Scott Noble has been using his Cuisinart blender since the 1980s, a gift from his mother who no longer needed it after purchasing a new one. Noble expressed his surprise that the new blender his mother bought did not last as long as the original one, highlighting a common sentiment that products are not made as durable as they used to be.
Noble is part of a growing trend where individuals opt for long-lasting products rather than constantly replacing items. Online communities like the subreddit r/BuyItForLife, with a large membership base, assist people in identifying durable products such as sturdy cookware sets or vintage glassware collections like Arby’s 1985 Christmas set.
However, the availability of durable goods is diminishing as companies intentionally manufacture products with shorter lifespans to drive profits, according to experts. Tima Bansal, a Canadian economist and professor, points out that the materials economy, which governs the production, consumption, and disposal of goods, drives the culture of frequent replacements due to profit motives.
To counter this trend, some businesses are prioritizing the sale of high-quality, long-lasting products. Open Funk, a company based in Berlin, exemplifies this approach by designing a durable kitchen blender that can be easily repaired. The company integrates principles like repairability, modularity, and local production to enhance product longevity.
Advocates like Kyle Wiens are pushing for right-to-repair legislation to empower consumers to fix their products rather than discard them. Wiens emphasizes the importance of transparent information on product durability and repairability to guide consumer choices.
The responsibility for ensuring product longevity falls on various stakeholders. Bansal highlights the role of governments in incentivizing sustainable purchases, while customers can influence product longevity by making informed buying decisions and advocating for repair options.
Manufacturers also play a crucial role in producing sustainable products that reduce waste. Paul Anca, co-founder of Open Funk, stresses the significance of manufacturers taking responsibility for creating products that are not destined for landfills, urging industry stakeholders to drive positive change towards a more sustainable future.