We are buying more and more expensive white goods.
In 2020, 3.1 percent more was sold compared with the previous year.
But the value was 6.5 percent higher.
Mattias Lindahl is a professor of product-related environmental work and according to him, it is the prevailing business model, ie selling, that drives the products' lifespan to not be longer than they are today.
- You want the customer to be satisfied, but since you mainly make money at the time of sale, you do not want the products to last too long, he says.
Products are used more today
Applia - Home Appliances Sweden is an industry organization for manufacturers of small and large household appliances in Sweden.
According to them, the trend is that the technical service life is actually increasing on products in general.
- On average, products are used up to 50 percent more today than 20 years ago.
A dishwasher and washing machine in a household can run several times a day.
According to Kent Oderud, there are also many consumers who replace their products, even if they still work.
- In the last ten years, we have seen more and more faultless products that come in for recycling after you have renovated your kitchen in the home or that major replacements are made in apartment buildings.
The business model governs
According to Professor Mattias Lindahl, it would be technically possible to manufacture white goods that lasted twice as long for the same cost.
- But then the current business model would not work, he adds.
When many products start to be connected to the internet, however, it becomes possible with other solutions according to him.
- You can see if any spare part needs to be replaced even before the product breaks down, you could also charge per wash cycle, so you sell the function itself instead of the product.
- With the right incentive, changes can take place and they could take place fairly quickly, states Mattias Lindahl.
In the video, we find out why a product has a certain lifespan. Hear the manufacturers' answers.