Avoiding Planned Obsolescence: Why Sustainability Expert Kate Hall Says It's a Problem Worth Fixing

Key Highlights :

1. Items designed with planned obsolescence are destined to end up in landfill, and the floods simply accelerated this journey.

2. Items that cannot be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours of floods must be discarded.

3. Sustainable values can be incorporated into the conceptual and design stages of production, which can help items withstand events like flooding.

     Planned obsolescence is a technique used in production that ensures the item doesn’t last long, so consumers are forced to buy a new product. This is why sustainability expert Kate Hall believes it is a problem worth fixing. The recent floods around Aotearoa saw piles of flood-damaged household items end up in landfill, with some of the most environmentally-conscious people among those affected.

     This is largely due to two main factors: planned obsolescence and health hazards. Companies utilising planned obsolescence will use cheaper materials and design items to give way with certain weights or become irreparable in particular conditions, such as contact with water. This means that these items are destined to end up in landfill, and the floods simply accelerated this journey.

     The other main factor is health hazards. Even if an item can be cleaned and dried, health professionals advise that it must be discarded if it cannot be done within 24 to 48 hours of floods. This is because of the risk of mould, and it would not be sustainable to end up in hospital because of trying to rescue a mattress from landfill.

     Therefore, it is important to be aware of the items coming into our home and to put more thought into them. Shopping second-hand is a great way to do this, as older items are often more sturdy and can be repaired if they become damaged.

     By avoiding planned obsolescence, we can reduce the amount of household items ending up in landfill and help to protect the environment. It is a problem worth fixing, and Kate Hall is leading the way with her sustainability expertise.

Continue Reading at Source : nzherald