Critical eval. of new & emerging tech -> design decisions

• Products do not last forever; they wear out in time and are either recycled, reused or thrown away
• It is important that designers think about how they can make a product last as long as possible and what can be done with the product at the end of its useful life
• It is better for the environment if, rather than replacing a product at relatively short intervals, a product has a longer lifespan. This uses fewer materials. However, a longer lifespan also means that manufacturers sell fewer products