Envisioning a Canadian Durability Index for Electronic Devices Through Communication Design: The Case of the Smartphone
摘要
Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest among the population to keep their electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) for a longer period of time. This focus on durability was heightened, in part, by the unethical practices of some manufacturers who intentionally shorten the lifespan of products or prematurely release new versions or software updates, among other tactics, to increase replacement rates. This phenomenon, known as planned obsolescence, is one of many challenges that limit or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland 1987). One of the numerous communication strategies for sustainability that were developed to encourage consumers to purchase more durable products involved the introduction of a set of voluntary indicators known as repairability and durability indexes. This, in turn, aimed to motivate manufacturers to produce, and retailers to distribute, more long-lasting goods.