Circular Economy
Product Lifetime
Definition
Product lifetime is the duration for which a product remains functional and in use, determined by technical durability, repairability, upgradability, emotional attachment and economic incentives. Extending lifetimes is a primary circular economy strategy: slowing resource loops reduces material demand, waste and the embodied impacts of replacement production.
References
Supports definition and framing.
Supports definition and framing.
Overview
How it is used
The concept anchors circular design guidance, product policy, consumer law (guarantee periods) and research on sufficiency and consumption reduction.
Why it matters
The fastest-growing waste streams come from products with falling lifetimes; lifetime extension is among the most effective and least technologically demanding circular strategies.