#2 SUSTAINABILITY & RECYCLE: PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE

By exposing the methods used by companies to create products that quickly become obsolete, the documentary we recommend to you in the last post, "The Story of Stuff," is referring to a very common practice in the industry that is present in everyone's daily lives: planned obsolescence.

Planned obsolescence is the practice of deliberately designing products to have a limited lifespan or become outdated within a specific period, compelling consumers to replace them frequently. This practice has been used by manufacturers for several decades, with evidence of its existence dating back to the early 20th century. However, its widespread use and public awareness increased significantly from the 1920s onward with the advent of mass production and the growth of consumerism.

The companies desire to maximize profits and maintain a constant cycle of consumption. In the capitalist system, companies compete for market share and profits, and planned obsolescence can be seen as a strategy to boost sales and sustain economic growth. Also, the planned obsolescence is a natural consequence of the capitalist economic system, where consumption and economic growth are prioritized over sustainability and resource conservation. Under capitalism, the pressure to innovate and compete can lead companies to adopt short-term practices that favor immediate profits over long-term environmental and social considerations.

Ultimately, planned obsolescence reflects the incentives and pressures inherent in the capitalist economic system, where companies are driven to maximize profits and consumers are encouraged to constantly purchase new products to replace old ones.

The increase in landfills due to planned obsolescence is a concerning environmental issue worldwide. Planned obsolescence, the deliberate design of products to have a limited lifespan, contributes to the accumulation of waste in landfills as consumers discard obsolete items and replace them with newer versions. This phenomenon not only leads to the depletion of natural resources but also exacerbates pollution and environmental degradation.

Some of the largest landfills in the world are:

• Bordo Poniente Landfill (Mexico City, Mexico): One of the largest landfills in the world, Bordo Poniente received waste from Mexico City for decades until its closure in 2011.

• Apex Regional Landfill (Las Vegas, United States): serves the Las Vegas metropolitan area and is one of the largest in the United States.

• Sudokwon Landfill (Incheon, South Korea): the largest landfill in South Korea and serves the Seoul metropolitan area.

• Deonar Landfill (Mumbai, India): one of the largest and oldest landfills in Asia, receiving waste from the city of Mumbai.

• Puente Piedra Landfill (Lima, Peru): one of the largest landfills in South America, serving the city of Lima.

• Laogang Landfill (Shanghai, China): one of the largest landfills in China and serves the city of Shanghai.

These landfills highlight the scale of the waste management challenge posed by planned obsolescence and the urgent need for sustainable consumption and waste reduction practices.

"The Light Bulb Conspiracy" is a documentary film directed by Cosima Dannoritzer and released in 2010. It explores the phenomenon of planned obsolescence, investigating how products are designed to fail prematurely and encourage constant consumption. The film delves into the history behind this practice, from the emergence of the incandescent light bulb to modern electronic products, revealing how companies manipulate consumers and the environment in pursuit of profit. Through interviews with experts and real-life examples, the documentary sheds light on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of planned obsolescence and underscores the need for changes in how we produce, consume, and dispose of products. To delve deeper into this subject, we super recommend this documentary.