Nowadays, we are used to items or electronics serving us for a couple of years before they break, and if you haven’t extended your warranty, it is probably cheaper to get a new one. Over that time, there would be new models that emerged and trends that have changed, so it is probably for the best that yours broke or didn’t stand the test of time, right?

Well, if our priority of convenience and instant gratification comes above durability and longevity, this might seem like a win-win; however, this outlook has some serious issues in the long term.

To learn more about those issues and how to become a more mindful consumer, Bored Panda reached out to Kathryn Kellogg, the founder of the blog Going Zero Waste, who kindly shared her experience.

First of all, Kathryn shared what inspired her to start focusing on sustainability and longevity within her blogging journey. “I started practicing many of these habits out of financial necessity and for health reasons. I started reducing my exposure to endocrine disruptors which are found in a lot of products we come into daily contact with.”

Kathryn continued: “I started being very mindful of what I brought into my home by reducing plastic, eating more plant-based, and DIYing a lot of my cleaning products, etc. Making these changes coupled with switching out disposable products with reusable ones i.e. cloth towels instead of paper towels – saved me a lot of money!

It all clicked for me when I moved to California that the changes I was making to my personal health weren’t only better for me, they were also better for the planet.

I started my blog goingzerowaste.com because I wanted people to know they could save money, be healthier, and be more eco-friendly.”

Kathryn shared her thoughts on how our current consumer culture contributes to the decline in the longevity of products, and what steps individuals can take to combat this trend.

“We live in a linear economy and our earth has limited resources.

Basically, we take resources from the earth, we manufacture them into products, and then we throw them into a giant hole in the ground. Living this way is unsustainable and eventually, we will run out of resources.

Companies during the 1980s started to realize to drive more growth, products needed to be very difficult to repair and that they need to break quicker.

The quicker you can break a product the quicker you can make a new sale.

This is called planned obsolescence, which is instilling in the buyer a desire to own something a little newer, better, and sooner than is necessary.”

Kathryn continued: “In other words, our consumer culture was literally marketed to us for profit over the planet.

We can combat this trend by switching over to a more circular economy. The circular economy reflects nature, where there is no trash or waste. Everything plays a vital role in the system.

We can encourage a more circular economy by borrowing and lending our items more, instead of buying new; repairing our items when they break, or hiring someone else to do it, like a cobbler or tailor; taking better care of the items we already have; supporting libraries, community gardens, and tool libraries; composting our food scraps.”

Kathryn shared a few examples of products or brands that she believes epitomize longevity and sustainability in today's market.

“I think the brand Plaine Products does a great job of showcasing a circular economy in motion. They sell sustainable hair and skincare products in aluminum containers that you can ship back to them when empty to be reused.

They will then send you refills in return. There’s absolutely no waste, and there’s a subscription service that ensures you’re not overconsuming. Also, their shipping packaging is plastic-free.

Also, Sabai Design is another great example: They’re a furniture company that not only uses upcycled materials in their products but promotes repairability.”

“For example, every part of their couches can be repaired. They offer replacement components for sofa legs, pillowcases, cushion covers, and even inserts. This makes it so much easier to keep the same couch for years to come, even if one part of it gets damaged.

And my own company Kayaness is focused on sustainable design in our products. We make reusable period underwear with matching loungewear. From sourcing thicker and heavy-duty materials, manufacture in house to have the greatest control over quality to produce a garment that should stand the test of a lot of use and washes.”

We also asked Kathryn what are some key factors consumers should consider when seeking out products that are built to last. She responded: “Consumers should look for repairability and reusability when shopping for products. Can the item you purchase be repaired easily by a shoe cobbler or tailor? Is it made from high-quality materials that are listed transparently on their label or website? Can you refill it or reuse it in some form?

A good habit to develop is to ask yourself if you plan on using an item more than once. If the answer is no, try to see if you can borrow the item from someone you know who already has one!

Also, make sure you love the item you’re going to buy, as you’ll be more inclined to take care of it. Stepping away from a purchase and waiting at least 30 days is a good test to see how much it means to you: If you’re not still thinking about it after 30 days, you definitely don’t need it.”

We were wondering how promoting the concept of "buy it for life" can positively impact not only individuals but also larger environmental and societal issues.

Kathryn wrote: “When you buy something for life, you are saving money in the long run. Sure, it may cost more up front. But think about how much it would cost you to pay for a new couch every five years as opposed to just once.

On top of this, you will be paying for a higher-quality item, which probably means everyone involved in making said item will get paid a living wage. You should always check for third-party certifications, to ensure the manufacturers can back up their claims.”