Sustainable Innovation: Why Companies Must Build for Longevity & Long Term Support
A sustainable future with systems that last a lifetime
Introduction
Imagine a world where the products you buy are designed to last a lifetime. Where your car could drive a million miles, your computer remained secure and functional for decades, and your phone evolved with you instead of being replaced every few years. Unfortunately, this is not the world we live in today.
Recently, I converted a 2010 Mac Pro 5,1 into a Linux machine because Apple stopped providing security updates. I had been using an outdated version of macOS Sierra with Firefox as my only viable browser because Chrome and Safari refused to work on such an "old" system. And yet, the hardware itself was still perfectly capable. Working with a local computer repair shop, I upgraded the RAM to 32 GB with the existing Intel Xenon processor and had the GPU replaced. Then, on my own I added a new SSD to run Linux with the machine and installed Ubuntu from a USB drive. The same principle applies to cars—my 2007 Honda Odyssey still runs well after 18 years of use and nearly 200k miles, despite the auto industry’s push for frequent trade-ins or upgrades and new $50k depreciating assets. If cars all ran for 1M miles, maybe they wouldn’t depreciate so fast! These examples highlight a larger issue: manufacturers deliberately limit the lifespan of their products, not because they have to, but because it makes them more money.
This practice, known as planned obsolescence, is unethical and wasteful. Companies should be designing products that maximize longevity, repairability, and efficiency—because our planet's resources are finite, and the technology already exists to do so.
The Ethics of Planned Obsolescence
Planned obsolescence isn’t new. In the 1920s, the Phoebus Cartel—a group of major light bulb manufacturers—conspired to limit light bulb lifespans to around 1,000 hours, ensuring repeat purchases. Similarly, modern tech companies intentionally design products to degrade faster, whether through non-replaceable batteries, soldered components, or artificial software limitations.
Apple, for example, not only glues and solders critical components, making upgrades impossible, but also stops supporting older devices with software updates. The result? Perhaps this makes the hardware more reliable, so that an even higher reliability for reaching the planned unsupported date is possible? Even though my Mac Pro was still functional hardware wise, I was forced to install Linux just to keep it secure. With the 2010 Mac Pro, the new RAM, GPU, and SSD easily slid into slots that were friction fit and standardized in the machine. It’s not that these companies can’t support their products longer—they choose not to.
Cars Should Be Built to Last a Million Miles
There’s no reason a well-designed car couldn’t last a million miles with proper maintenance. Many vehicles, like the Toyota Land Cruiser or older Mercedes diesels, already approach this milestone. Yet, modern automakers prioritize frequent trade-ins over durability, often using software and proprietary parts to limit repair options.
If companies focused on sustainability, we’d see:
Longer-lasting powertrains, with modular engine and battery replacements.
Easily upgradable electronics instead of expensive, proprietary systems.
Standardized, repairable components that aren’t locked behind dealership-only fixes.
Electric vehicles offer a promise of even less moving parts and no longer needing to support an internal combustion engine. The technology exists, but manufacturers aren’t incentivized to adopt it because planned obsolescence is more profitable than sustainability.
The Disposable Technology Problem
Consumer electronics face an even worse fate. Most smartphones and laptops are designed to be replaced every few years, even though the hardware could last much longer with proper engineering. Medtronic, for example, has developed "Overdrive™" battery technology that lasts 15 years with virtually no fade in implantable medical devices. I have first hand knowledge of such systems (like Percept RC™). If batteries can last that long inside the human body, why do we accept that our phone batteries degrade within two years? The number of devices we sell and dispose of every year is staggering. I myself have a smart device graveyard in my basement with old devices from years past.
Smartphones: Around 1.2 billion smartphones were sold worldwide in 2023. An estimated 5.3 billion phones were discarded globally the same year. It is also estimated that more than 7 billion phones are currently in operation worldwide, based on industry estimates.
Tablets: The global tablet market shipped approximately 129 million tablets annually in recent years.
Laptops: Sales hover around 240 million units per year for laptops, according to market reports.
Smart devices (IoT): This category, including wearables and smart home devices, is rapidly growing, with billions of devices in use globally.
Electronics waste: Globally, approximately 60 million metric tons of e-waste are generated annually. In the United States, Americans dispose of about 9.4 million tons of electronics every year.
A Phone Designed to Last 25 Years
A truly sustainable phone would be:
Modular and standardized: Swappable processors, cameras, displays, memory, and batteries.
Repairable: No glued components or proprietary screws.
Upgradeable: Future-proof connectivity with replaceable subsystems.
Supported for Decades: Open-source software with long-term security and privacy updates.
Such a phone isn’t science fiction. It’s a deliberate choice that manufacturers refuse to make because it would disrupt their business model. Actually, maybe it does exist? Ubuntu Touch is available on a number of devices. It seems the limitation at this point may be access to all the wonderful apps available today on Android and iOS devices, but there is a workaround for that, too. Perhaps if more and more people start adopting this OS, more apps will become available for a “third” mainstream operating system.
The Path to Sustainable Innovation
If companies genuinely cared about sustainability, they would design products that last, not products that expire. Here’s what needs to change:
Right to Repair Laws – Consumers should have the legal right to fix and upgrade their devices.
Long-Term Software Support – Companies should provide security updates for at least 15-25 years. My 2010 Mac Pro with Intel Silicon is a great example of a 15 year old device with perfectly fine hardware. With the latest linux, my computer may be supported for a total life of 25 years!
Modular Design – Electronics should be upgradeable instead of disposable. The modules should have interfaces that are standardized so different component suppliers can compete for the upgrade market share.
Durability Standards – Cars, computers, phones, building materials, and appliances should be built to last, not fail by design.
Some companies are moving in the right direction. ChatGTP informed me that Framework is pioneering modular laptops, and Fairphone offers easily repairable smartphones. But these are exceptions—the industry standard still revolves around short-term profits. Who knows, maybe these will be my new devices moving forward.
Conclusion
The world doesn’t need more disposable products. It needs well-engineered, sustainable solutions that respect both consumers and the planet. With the population anticipated to grow to 10 billion in 2050 and 11 billion in 2100, and an aging population, these issues will continue to be paramount. Companies have the technology to build cars that last a million miles, computers that stay secure for decades, and phones that remain usable for 25 years. They just choose not to.
As consumers, we must demand better. We must support companies that embrace longevity and push for laws that prevent artificial obsolescence. Because if we don’t, corporations will continue to prioritize profit over progress—at the cost of our wallets and our environment.
