Design to Last

[YAGAY andSUN]

Design to Last

Why the manufacturers of Electronic & Electric items/stuff/equipment/tools etc. need to follow this principle to remain sustainable, Eco-friendly to support the Concept of Circular Economy and SDGs?

(Part 1 of 3)

{Sustainability, Environment Protection and Healing Climate Change}

The principle of “Design to Last” is critical in transforming the electronics and electrical (E&E) industry into a more sustainable, circular, and eco-conscious ecosystem. Here's a detailed breakdown of why manufacturers of E&E products should embrace this principle to align with the Circular Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

🔧 What is “Design to Last”?

Design to Last refers to creating products that are:

• Durable over a longer period,
• Repairable, upgradable, and modular, and
• Reusable or recyclable at end-of-life.

In simple terms, instead of designing for obsolescence, it’s about designing for longevity and lifecycle efficiency.

🔁 Link with Circular Economy

The Circular Economy model emphasizes:

• Minimizing waste,
• Maximizing resource efficiency, and
• Extending the lifecycle of products.

Design to Last is one of the foundational design principles of the circular economy because it:

• Reduces material extraction and energy use over time,
• Encourages repair, reuse, and second-life applications,
• Minimizes e-waste generation.

🌎 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG	Goal	Impact of Design to Last
SDG 12	Responsible Consumption & Production	Reduces waste generation and overconsumption of resources.
SDG 13	Climate Action	Lowers carbon emissions by reducing frequent replacements and energy-intensive manufacturing.
SDG 9	Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Promotes sustainable innovation and resilient infrastructure through better product design.
SDG 11	Sustainable Cities & Communities	Supports waste reduction and efficient urban resource use.
SDG 8	Decent Work and Economic Growth	Encourages local jobs in repair, maintenance, remanufacturing, and recycling sectors.

⚙️ Why the E&E Industry Must Embrace “Design to Last”

1. 🗑️ E-Waste Crisis

India alone generated over 1.6 million tonnes of e-waste in 2021, with only a small percentage processed through authorized recyclers. Short product lifespans and rapid obsolescence are major culprits.

Design to Last = Less Frequent Disposal = Less E-Waste

2. 💡 Product Obsolescence Hurts Brand Reputation

Consumers are becoming more conscious. Companies practicing planned obsolescence (i.e., short-lived designs) are often called out for unsustainable behavior.

Adopting Design to Last:

• Builds trust with customers,
• Aligns with ESG goals, and
• Improves brand image in domestic and global markets.

3. 💰 Economic Benefits for Manufacturers

• Lower Warranty Claims: Durable products lead to fewer returns and replacements.
• Second-Life Market: Refurbishing and resale markets open new revenue streams.
• After-Sales Services: Encourages repair and part replacement models, adding lifetime customer value.

4. 🔩 Modularity = Circular Design

Modular designs (like Fairphone or Framework laptops) make repair, refurbishment, and upgrades easier — helping keep the product in use longer.

Imagine a mixer-grinder or electric drill where the motor or switch is replaceable without needing to discard the whole unit.

5. ⚖️ Policy Pressure & Global Compliance

• Right to Repair regulations are gaining traction globally (e.g., EU, US, India’s draft e-waste policy).
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms require manufacturers to manage the lifecycle of their products.

Design to Last helps businesses comply cost-effectively with such evolving regulations.

✅ How Manufacturers Can Implement “Design to Last”

Action	Description
Use high-quality components	Ensure longevity and reduce early failures.
Design for modularity	Enable easy replacement of faulty parts (e.g., battery, display, PCB).
Provide repair manuals	Support users or repair shops to fix rather than discard products.
Use recyclable materials	Facilitate material recovery at end-of-life.
Support firmware/software updates	Avoid forced obsolescence due to software incompatibility.
Partner with refurbishers	Build reverse logistics for remanufacturing or second-life usage.

✍️ Summary

"Design to Last" is more than a design philosophy — it's a business imperative, an environmental necessity, and a social responsibility. By incorporating durability, repairability, and modularity in product design, manufacturers of electronic and electric goods can:

• Support circular economy goals,
• Contribute meaningfully to multiple SDGs, and
• Stay future-ready in a sustainability-focused global market.

🧠 Conclusion: Is it Worth It?

✅ Yes, absolutely.
While initial R&D and design costs may be higher, the long-term benefits — including compliance, consumer trust, reduced waste, and new revenue channels — far outweigh them.

Manufacturers who ignore this shift may not just lose relevance — they may face regulatory pushback and reputational risk.

Reference: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2123899

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