If a Product Is Durable, Does It Mean It’s Sustainable?
The durability of a product can make it last longer, but is a resistant product truly sustainable?
Does Durability Equal Sustainability?
Not always! While durability helps a product last longer, sustainability goes beyond longevity. A resilient product might endure tough conditions, but if it's made from non-recyclable materials, cannot be repaired, or requires excessive resources to produce, it falls short of true sustainability. Sustainability encompasses the entire lifecycle of a product—from the materials used and manufacturing processes to how it's disposed of at the end of its life. Products that are both durable and made with eco-friendly materials help reduce environmental impact.
Why Does Durability Matter?
For you: Longer-lasting products mean fewer replacements, saving money, and reducing waste. Choosing durable items prevents the need for frequent purchases, reduces consumption, and promotes mindful buying habits.
For businesses: Durable products build trust and enhance customer satisfaction by meeting expectations for quality and reliability. Companies that focus on creating long-lasting goods often gain a competitive advantage, as consumers are increasingly looking for products that offer value and longevity. Additionally, durability reduces the costs associated with returns and product defects, supporting a more efficient supply chain.
For the planet: Less frequent replacements mean fewer raw materials are extracted, fewer products are manufactured, and less waste ends up in landfills. By extending the lifespan of products, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with production and transportation, contributing to a healthier planet.
What Should You Consider?
When making a purchase, it’s essential to evaluate both durability and sustainability. A well-made sweater crafted from synthetic materials might last a long time, but its environmental impact could be significant due to the use of non-renewable resources and the release of microplastics during washing. In contrast, a sweater made from organic cotton, responsibly sourced wool, or other natural fibers may offer both durability and a lower environmental footprint.
Consider the following factors when assessing a product's sustainability:
Materials: Opt for products made from natural, renewable, or recyclable materials. Look for certifications such as organic, Fair Trade, or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure ethical and sustainable sourcing.
Manufacturing: Choose brands that prioritize eco-friendly production processes, such as using renewable energy, minimizing water consumption, and reducing chemical use.
Repairability: Select products that can be easily repaired or maintained to extend their lifespan. Some brands offer repair services or replacement parts, helping to reduce waste.
End-of-Life: Consider what happens when a product reaches the end of its use. Can it be recycled, composted, or repurposed? Avoid items that will end up in landfills.
Balancing Durability and Sustainability
While durability is an important aspect of sustainability, it’s essential to balance longevity with eco-conscious choices. For example, stainless steel water bottles and reusable glass containers are both durable and environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics. Similarly, investing in high-quality furniture made from sustainably sourced wood or recycled materials ensures long-lasting use while minimizing environmental impact.
On the other hand, products designed to last forever—such as certain plastics or synthetic materials—can become problematic if they cannot be recycled or biodegraded naturally. Choosing products with a clear end-of-life plan, such as biodegradable packaging or items that can be recycled through take-back programs, helps reduce long-term environmental harm.
What are durable and planet-friendly materials to look out for?
Currently, there are three different types of sustainable materials that can be found on Earth:
Natural materials come from plants and can be safely disposed of.
Materials that can be naturally replenished or infinitely recycled are considered renewable, allowing the material to be used at a rate where it is not depleted with time.
Materials that are non-toxic and harmless to humans or ecosystems.
Currently, some methods of production treat materials with chemicals that have toxic effects that are harmful, healthwise, and disposal-wise. Materials that are non-toxic are the more sustainable option in comparison, even if they are manufactured.
Here are 6 sustainable materials that have become popular in recent years:
Adobe
Adobe is a building material that has been used for centuries. Around the world, adobe is used to build houses, roofs, and pottery. To make adobe, the earth clay material is mixed with water and dung or straw. Once the mixture is applied, it dries into a robust and durable material that can naturally be broken down when disposed of and does not release toxic chemicals or plastic.
Hemp
Hemp is technically a weed, which means that it thrives on its own. For this plant to grow abundantly, there is no need for human intervention, such as supplying water or treating it with pesticides to produce a large yield. Every part of the hemp plant can also be used, resulting in no excess plant waste. Hemp can currently be found in food products, building materials, and fabric.
Pinatex
Pinatex is a plant-based leather made from pineapple. Pinatex's top attribute is that it is made from a waste agricultural byproduct (pineapple leaves), making it a sustainable and low-waste alternative to animal and petroleum-based leather.
Banana leaves
Bananas are a highly renewable resource as they grow abundantly in tropical regions year-round. This means that banana-based materials can be produced without depleting finite resources. Banana plants also have waste once the fruit is harvested. Utilizing banana plants for materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mycelium
Mycelium is the root-like structure of fungi. Mycellium-based products are renewable and sustainable, as these roots would otherwise be discarded. Mycelium-based materials are also biodegradable and can naturally decompose and return to the ecosystem!
Cacti
The Nopal cactus native to Mexico, also known as the prickly pear, has been proven to be an alternative to leather. When manufactured by Desserto®, the slick feel of the fabric they produced was shockingly similar to animal leather. Using the cacti, this company was also able to make materials in a large variety of thicknesses and textures. They are hoping to surpass the demands of the fashion industry with their alternative sustainable materials.
The creativity that has erupted in the recent decade has proven that there are sustainable alternatives to most of the disposable, plastic, toxic products we currently purchase every day. Importantly, these sustainable materials are reimagining how the future of our planet will look for future generations. What is now necessary is a shift in mindsets for consumers to prioritize sustainable materials and products above all else. Together, we can make decisions with the planet in mind and, in turn, change the outcome of our environmental trajectory.
Our Mission
Transforming business models to build a regenerative future.
At Carom, we focus on:
Planet-friendly practices: Protecting natural resources and prioritizing long-term sustainability.
Circular systems: Maximizing resource use, promoting reuse, and minimizing waste.
Restorative principles: Rebuilding and regenerating ecosystems and habitats.
Through collaboration and innovation, we can create a future that benefits both people and the planet.
Make a Contribution: Discover Our Living Market
Explore our online marketplace, where we proudly showcase vetted sustainable businesses that contribute to a Living Economy. Every company featured in our market is carefully evaluated to ensure their business model aligns with planet-friendly practices. By supporting these businesses, you’re not just making a purchase—you’re investing in an economy that values sustainability and regeneration.