Wasteful planned obsolescence

Sir, – Recently my tumble dryer went on the blink. I figured out that the problem was a broken element. I was going to get a new element and fix the tumble dryer myself. I discovered a new element would cost €114!

A new tumble dryer cost €179 so it was not worthwhile fixing the machine. So I bought a new one. I did a bit of investigating and discovered that all spare parts are extremely expensive.

Why is that? I can only assume that the appliance manufacturing companies are deliberately overpricing spare parts to discourage “local repair” so that they can sell new appliances .

If we are serious about protecting our environment we need to tackle this type of wasteful production model. So why ask me as an individual to pay a carbon tax when we are supporting this type of environmental crime?

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This very same business model is pursued by many manufacturing sectors, such as the auto industry and the clothing industry. Our disposable economic model is an environmental crime. – Yours, etc,

JOHN O’ROURKE,

Dublin 2.