Chapter 07 · Materials & footprintsCircular Economy & Materials
Planned obsolescence
Definition
Planned obsolescence is the design or commercial practice of limiting a product's useful life or desirability to encourage replacement.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Planned obsolescence” is defined and used.
Overview
What it means in practice
Planned obsolescence should be read as a materials and circular-economy term. Its meaning depends on the product, material pathway, infrastructure and evidence behind the claim.
In practice, users should state the boundary, material route, measurement method and evidence. That keeps planned obsolescence clear enough to support review without turning it into a broad claim.
Why it matters
Planned obsolescence matters because circularity claims can influence design, procurement, consumer understanding and reporting. Clear wording helps distinguish real material outcomes from broad environmental language.
Common misconception
A common error is to treat Planned obsolescence as proof of circularity by itself. The stronger approach is to state the material route, quality, scale and final use.
Review questions
What boundary or material route is being described? What evidence supports the term? What condition, timeframe or modelling choice should be stated before a reader relies on it?
How it is used
In professional practice, “Planned obsolescence” helps designers, manufacturers, procurement teams, life-cycle practitioners and waste managers describe or assess the design or commercial practice of limiting a product's useful life or desirability to encourage replacement. It is commonly encountered in product design, procurement, footprinting, material selection, production and end-of-life decisions.
A credible application identifies the product system, life-cycle stages, functional unit, geography, timeframe and measurement method.