The Long View: Exploring Product Lifetime Extension - Summary

This summary outlines evidence and policy recommendations for extending product lifetimes to reduce resource use, waste generation, and environmental impacts while preserving economic value. It reviews life cycle assessment studies across major consumer products, showing that longer use, repair, refurbishment, and improved design often provide environmental benefits. The document compares conditions in developed and developing economies and recommends measures including durability standards, repair support, consumer education, monitoring, alternative business models, and stronger waste management to encourage longer product use.