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Environmental information systems
Extending product lifespans is crucial for advancing circularity and sustainability. By lowering the demand for new materials and products, longer-lasting goods can help reduce resources and lower environmental impact. However, there is currently limited data related to product lifespans. This thematic module aims to improve our understanding and provide novel insights on trends in product lifespans across Europe.
Assessment
- Increasing consumption of new products can negatively impact the environment and accelerates climate change by driving higher demand for energy and raw materials. Extending product lifespans through reuse, repair, or using them more intensively by sharing unused items can significantly reduce these impacts.
- The metrics show that EU household consumption has increased considerably over the past decade, reflected in rising sales of products like new cars and mobile phones. However, the average age of cars and the lifespan of household electrical appliances are increasing. On the other hand, the intensity of washing machines use is decreasing, with households utilizing less of their load capacity.
