Lifetimes of Electronic Devices
How long do people in Germany actually use their electrical and electronic devices? Although extending product lifetimes is a key strategy for advancing the circular economy and improving resource efficiency, reliable data on how long devices are used, how long they are kept in storage, and what happens to them at the end of their useful life are still lacking. This research project therefore aims to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, and representative evidence base on the use and lifetimes of electrical and electronic devices.
In private households, products are often replaced before they reach the end of their technical life. Devices may be discarded not only because they are irreparably damaged, but also because they can no longer be repaired, are considered outdated, or have simply gone out of fashion. What social practices, values, expectations, and digital consumer environments influence the decision to replace devices that are still functional? How often are devices repaired, and what social, material, and institutional barriers stand in the way of successful repair?
To help close these gaps in the available data, the research team will collect up-to-date information on how long devices are used and stored and examine the gap between their actual and expected lifetimes. The study will also look at what happens to devices once they are discarded, whether they are still functional at that point, and how usage and disposal patterns differ between smart, connected devices and conventional, non-connected ones.
In the commercial and public sectors, the project will examine how electrical and electronic devices are used outside private households. Particular attention will be paid to factors such as depreciation policies, security requirements, service and maintenance contracts, and organizational cultures, and to how these factors influence when devices are replaced.
The study will use a three-stage data triangulation approach. First, a representative household survey will collect information on the length of use for around 50 types of electrical and electronic devices, along with relevant practices, attitudes, and perceptions. Second, on-site surveys at recycling centers will involve interviews with people disposing of devices, while the condition of the discarded equipment will be documented. Third, expert interviews will explore the institutional and organizational factors that shape device use in the commercial and public sectors.
The findings will be brought together in a management summary aimed at policymakers and other relevant stakeholders, as well as in a scientific final report. The project will also develop a monitoring framework to support the collection of time-series data on product lifetimes and disposal practices. The findings will be presented and discussed with the wider public at an expert workshop.
Overall, the results will provide a robust evidence base for policy and communication measures aimed at advancing the circular economy, preventing waste, and extending the lifetimes of electrical and electronic devices.
