Planned obsolescence by

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:18:19 UTC

In today's consumer-driven economy, ethical decision-making within a product's lifecycle is crucial for achieving a sustainable future. A study of the Dutch market in 2020 revealed the average lifetime of a microwave oven shortened from 10.9 years to 9.7 years in just a five-year period (Alejandre et al., 2022).This concerning trend highlights the pressing business ethics challenge posed by 'planned obsolescence', a strategy where businesses may sacrifice product durability to drive repeat purchases. The purpose of this paper is to examine the complex ethical dimensions behind this strategy, using the article "Environmental implications of planned obsolescence and product lifetime: a literature review" as a central point of analysis. The implications will be examined through two ethical theories, utilitarianism and Kantian ethics, and linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 8, which promotes decent work and sustainable economic growth.

Environmental implications of planned obsolescence and product lifetime: a literature review

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:27:08 UTC

An article written in 2016 by Rivera and Lallmahomed, titled "Environmental implications of planned obsolescence and product lifetime: a literature review," provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex ethical issue of planned obsolescence. The article systematically reveals how businesses embed product obsolescence within design, manufacturing, and marketing by categorizing the strategy into four distinct types.

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:28:56 UTC

The first is technological obsolescence, whereby a company renders older products functionally outdated by introducing new ones with superior performance. The second type is psychological obsolescence, which does not rely on a product's loss of function but instead uses marketing and fashion trends to make consumers feel their product is subjectively out of style. A study by Oraee et al. (2024) found that the desire for new technology and social pressures are key psychological drivers for the premature obsolescence of smartphones. The third type is systemic obsolescence, where a company forces a product's retirement by altering the system upon which it depends, such as by discontinuing software updates or essential accessories. This practice is a major barrier to a circular economy, as it prevents products from extending their value through repair and reuse (Camacho-Otero et al., 2018). The final form is physical obsolescence, where a product fails prematurely due to low-quality materials or irreparable design flaws. A big data study by Makov and Fitzpatrick (2021) noted that while the objective performance of smartphones remains stable, consumer interest in repair declines exponentially over time, a trend closely linked to manufacturer-created barriers and high repair costs. This declining interest is not a natural consumer choice, but rather an ethically questionable outcome engineered by manufacturers through systemic barriers, highlighting a direct failure of corporate responsibility.

These four strategies collectively drive overconsumption and resource inefficiency, creating a direct conflict with the principles of sustainable economic growth promoted by UN SDG 8.

Ethical Analysis Framework

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:32:28 UTC

The ethical issue of planned obsolescence can be analysed through two distinct ethical theories: Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics.

Utilitarianism

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:34:41 UTC

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory stating that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by its consequences (Shaw et al., 2020). Applying this theory, planned obsolescence is unethical because its negative outcomes create widespread societal harm that far outweighs the narrow benefits. This strategy leads to significant financial losses and frustration for consumers while fueling a cycle of overconsumption that depletes natural resources and creates vast amounts of environmental waste, as documented in the literature on its environmental implications (Rivera & Lallmahomed, 2016). The collective, long-term negative utility for the global community vastly outweighs the short-term profits gained by a company's shareholders, thus failing the utilitarian test of creating the greatest good.

SDGs

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:45:38 UTC

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a comprehensive framework adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. They serve as a universal call to action to address pressing global challenges, aiming to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all by 2030 (United Nations, n.d.).

SDG 8

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:45:59 UTC

Among these goals, SDG 8, "Decent Work and Economic Growth," calls for promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Its primary purpose is to achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and innovation, sustain per capita economic growth, and progressively improve global resource efficiency to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

Kantian Ethics

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 13:46:23 UTC

In contrast, Kantian ethics is a non-consequentialist theory asserting that an action's morality is based on adherence to universal duties, regardless of the outcome. A core duty is to treat humanity as an end in itself and never merely as a means to an end (Shaw et al., 2020). Planned obsolescence, through strategies such as intentionally making products seem outdated (Rivera & Lallmahomed, 2016), directly violates this duty. It treats customers as simple means to achieve the end of profit maximization, exploiting their trust rather than respecting them as rational individuals. Furthermore, the underlying principle of intentionally designing products to fail cannot be willed as a universal law, as no rational person would agree to a system where they are guaranteed to be deceived. Therefore, the act is inherently unethical because it is based on a maxim of disrespect that cannot be universally applied.

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 14:00:55 UTC

Ethics are very important because they provide a crucial guide for companies to balance economic interests with social responsibilities. This assignment revealed how the practice of 'planned obsolescence' is deeply unethical, violating utilitarian principles by creating widespread societal harm and, from a Kantian perspective, failing its moral duty by treating customers as a mere means to an end. Through this analysis, I learned that businesses must look beyond the lure of short-term profits to achieve true sustainability. Further analysis revealed that this strategy also directly obstructs the promotion of sustainable economic growth and the creation of decent work as outlined in UN SDG 8. Looking forward, businesses must abandon such practices, as this is not only a requirement of their moral responsibility but also key to ensuring their long-term viability in an economy that increasingly values sustainability and ethical conduct.

Reference List

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 14:03:17 UTC

Alejandre, C., Akizu-Gardoki, O., & Lizundia, E. (2022). Optimum operational lifespan of household appliances considering manufacturing and use stage improvements via life cycle assessment. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 32, 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.04.007

Camacho-Otero, J., Boks, C., & Pettersen, I. N. (2018). Consumption in the Circular Economy: A Literature Review. Sustainability, 10(8), 2758. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082758

Forti, V., Baldé, C. P., Kuehr, R., & Bel, G. (2020). The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows, and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU) & United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). https://ewastemonitor.info/wpcontent/uploads/2020/07/GEM_2020_def_july1_low-res.pdf

Makov, T., & Fitzpatrick, C. (2021). Is repairability enough? big data insights into smartphone obsolescence and consumer interest in repair. Journal of Cleaner Production, 313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127561

Oraee, A., Pohl, L., Geurts, D., & Reichel, M. (2024). Overcoming Premature Smartphone Obsolescence amongst Young Adults. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2024.100174

Rivera, J. L., & Lallmahomed, A. (2016). Environmental implications of planned obsolescence and product lifetime: a literature review. International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 9(2), 119–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2015.1099757

Shaw, W., Barry, V., & Muntean, D. (2020). Moral Issues in Business. Cengage. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/reader.action?docID=6511766&ppg=190

United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals | sustainable development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Direct Impact

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 14:36:55 UTC

The ethical issue of 4 types of planned obsolescence discussed in our journal article is a major barrier to achieving UN SDG 8. This strategy directly fuels a "take-make-dispose" linear economic model, running counter to the principles of sustainable economic growth promoted by SDG 8. Specifically, it directly undermines Target 8.4, which aims to improve global resource efficiency and decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. For instance, the Global E-waste Monitor 2020 found that 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste were generated globally in 2019 (Forti et al., 2020), a figure projected to continue growing. Planned obsolescence is a primary driver of this resource inefficiency, making the achievement of Target 8.4 not just challenging, but nearly impossible without systemic reform.

The Challenge

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-28 14:38:18 UTC

Beyond this inefficiency, the constant manufacturing cycle also strains energy resources and increases carbon emissions, which threatens the long-term sustainability of any economic model, thereby conflicting with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The primary challenge lies in the fundamental conflict between short-term profit models that rely on frequent product replacement and the long-term sustainability goals of SDG 8. Addressing this challenge requires systemic change to establish a true circular economy that encourages durable products, which demands not only voluntary corporate action but also strong policy support.

Apple's "Batterygate"

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-29 02:52:08 UTC

The 2017 "Batterygate" scandal is a prime example of planned obsolescence, where Apple intentionally slowed older iPhones via software updates. While Apple claimed this was to protect aging batteries, the lack of transparency was seen by many as a violation of Kantian ethics, treating customers as a means to drive new sales rather than as respected individuals. This practice encourages a wasteful replacement cycle, directly conflicting with the sustainable principles of SDG 8 and undermining the consumer trust essential for long-term economic health.

The "Right to Repair" Movement

wwwuyf04 — 2025-09-29 05:01:29 UTC

The "Right to Repair" movement is a global campaign demanding that consumers have access to parts and information to fix their own devices. From a Utilitarian perspective, this movement achieves the greatest good by reducing waste, saving consumers money, and creating skilled local jobs. By empowering repair, it directly supports the goals of SDG 8 by fostering a more sustainable, circular economy. It powerfully embodies the conclusion that a shift towards more ethical and durable business models is both necessary and actively being pursued.