Geplante Obsoleszenz is a deliberate strategy where products are designed to have a limited lifespan, forcing consumers to replace them sooner. This practice emerged prominently with the Geplante Obsoleszenz Glühbirne (Phoebus light bulb cartel) in the 1920s, when manufacturers deliberately reduced bulb lifespans from 2,500 to 1,000 hours to increase sales.
Common Geplante Obsoleszenz: Beispiele (examples) include smartphones with non-replaceable batteries, printers that stop working after a certain number of prints, and clothing designed to wear out quickly. This leads to massive e-waste deutsch problems, with millions of tons of electronic waste being generated annually. The global e-waste monitor reports that only 17.4% of e-waste is properly recycled, while the rest ends up in landfills or is illegally traded. In Frankfurt, initiatives like E waste Frankfurt and E-Waste Race encourage proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste. The E waste Messe (trade fair) brings together industry experts to discuss sustainable solutions and circular economy approaches.
The environmental impact of planned obsolescence is severe, contributing to resource depletion, pollution, and climate change. In English, Geplante Obsoleszenz Englisch translates to "planned obsolescence," and its effects are felt globally. The practice not only affects consumers financially but also creates significant environmental challenges. Modern solutions include right-to-repair movements, sustainable design initiatives, and stricter regulations on product longevity and repairability. Companies are increasingly being pressured to adopt more sustainable practices and move away from the throwaway culture that planned obsolescence has created.