Planned obsolescence is subtly built into almost every single product. It’s wasteful, dishonest, and designed to keep you spending at the expense of your wallet, your time, and the planet.
At Stuff to Last, we don’t play along. We only offer products that prove themselves; not just in marketing, but in real life.
Describe the Problem
We’ve all been there.
The phone that mysteriously slows down or to function oddly after last update.
One piece of plastic of that bottle that cracks after six months.
The “eco” product that falls apart, sending you back to the checkout.
It’s not accidental.
Planned obsolescence is the business model we live in, design it to fail, so you’re forced to replace it, to spend more.
The result? More waste. More frustration. More money out of your pocket.
And all while companies parade their “sustainable” slogans across packaging.
Everyone is counting on us not noticing. We have been conditioned to believe this is just how things are. Warranties that barely cover the time before products break. “Eco” labels slapped on items that fall apart. It feels normal but it hasn’t always been this way.
Stories circulate about how, decades ago, a textile factory developed nylon stockings so strong they lasted virtually forever. Ironically, they did their job too well. The stockings lasted so long, demand dried up and with it, the factory’s future. The solution? Make them weaker. Planned obsolescence, woven in.
Or take the Centennial Light in Livermore, California, a light bulb that’s been burning for over 100 years. It even has its own birthday!
It proves durability is possible but inconvenient for companies who relies on replacement.
We see through it. You probably do too.
Most brands are counting on you not noticing.
Warranty expires? New model conveniently launches? Product labelled “eco” but lasts six months?
That’s by design.
The problem isn’t your expectations, it’s theirs.
They’ve normalised disposability. We don’t.
At Stuff to Last, we’ve chosen a slower, more deliberate path.
We spend weeks, sometimes months, searching for well-made, reliable products. Then we test them. Only the essentials that prove their durability, function, and design, through real use, not marketing claims, make it onto our platform.
Because the best products aren’t built for replacement. They’re built to last.
This is not just a shop, this is a revolution to shake the system from inside.
Tired of Replacing What Should Last?
We are too.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting, plastic-free bottle for your coffee, your water — or both — take a look at our shop.
We regularly offer promotions as a thank you to those who support well-made, reliable products.
Sources:
• The Guardian, 2023 — Planned Obsolescence: How Products Are Designed to Fail
• The Circular Economy Report, 2022 — The Hidden Costs of Disposable Design
Our Commitment:
We’re a business, of course, but not at the expense of our values. We believe products should prove their worth to you, and to the planet. Feedback, concerns, or suggestions? We welcome them. We grow by listening, improving, and doing better; not by making empty claims.