Offsetting Impact
How can companies address environmental concerns about planned obsolescence?
Accountability
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Future-proofing
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Alternative Approaches
Relentless product change is a fact of modern business strategy, but it is as one-sided as it is profit-driven, not taking into account its environmental impact. One avenue to change this perspective is to take biophysical methodology into account, which laces a focus on the larger ecological system in relation to the economic system.
As of the year 2000, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development did not recommend extending product durability as a co-efficient practice because it was not considered a healthy, revenue-generating business practice.
Public policy initiatives gaining popularity include “take-back” programs that require companies to handle some level of product reuse or recycling. These programs are meant to offer incentives to companies and shift the cost away from local government. Policies like these have the potential to force companies to invest in environmentally friendly practices. A downside is that the effectiveness of take-back and recycling laws are still contingent on the consumer returning the products to manufacturers.
As of the year 2000, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development did not recommend extending product durability as a co-efficient practice because it was not considered a healthy, revenue-generating business practice.
Public policy initiatives gaining popularity include “take-back” programs that require companies to handle some level of product reuse or recycling. These programs are meant to offer incentives to companies and shift the cost away from local government. Policies like these have the potential to force companies to invest in environmentally friendly practices. A downside is that the effectiveness of take-back and recycling laws are still contingent on the consumer returning the products to manufacturers.