Extendeduse

Extendeduse is a term used in product design and sustainability to describe practices that extend the usable life of objects and systems beyond their initial or expected lifetime. It emphasizes longevity, repairability, and reuse as alternatives to rapid replacement.

The term is not uniformly defined across fields and is used more as a descriptive concept than a formal standard. It overlaps with notions such as durability, serviceability, and the circular economy, and it is often discussed alongside strategies to reduce waste and resource consumption.

Core principles include durability and robust construction, modularity and upgradability, availability of spare parts, and accessible repair and maintenance. Extendeduse also relies on user behavior, community repair networks, and organizational policies that support ongoing use rather than disposal.

Applications can include consumer electronics with modular components, appliances designed for repair, software with long-term support and compatibility, and programs that refurbish and resell used devices. Researchers study lifecycle impacts and trade-offs between performance, cost, and environmental benefit.

Critics note potential downsides such as higher upfront costs, safety concerns with retrofit work, and the risk of outdated compatibility or performance. Proponents argue it reduces waste and resource consumption and supports resilience.

Extendeduse is related to repairability and the right to repair movement, product stewardship, and circular economy strategies. Standards and labeling efforts, including durability and repairability scores, aim to help consumers and policymakers evaluate extended-use potential.