People have high sustainability ambitions – but low-price trends and short product lifespans mean few opt for repairs

Climate change, war, and an unstable economy have led more people to become interested in extending product lifespans and recycling more.

However, in an era where foreign low-cost companies are growing in popularity, many people report that low purchase prices prompt them to throw away or buy new instead. This is revealed in Stena Recycling’s survey Circular Voice.

In the survey, nearly six out of ten respondents (54%) said that current global factors have increased their interest in extending product lifespans. Interest in recycling has also grown. A full 54% report recycling more today than before, and 57% say they care more about doing so correctly.

Despite the growing environmental awareness and desire to consume more sustainably among the majority, challenges remain. Respondents cited the following reasons:

• It’s cheaper to buy a new product (44%)
• It’s not worth repairing given the purchase price (41%)
• I don’t know where to turn to have the product repaired (27%)
• There are too few repair services available (23%)
• I believe the product is designed to have a short lifespan (23%)
• I don’t have the energy to repair products (15%)

“An uncertain world makes more people think sustainably. At the same time, reports show that Christmas shopping in certain countries has been overtaken by low-cost companies from abroad. This could impact the motivation to extend the lifespan of products. Here lies a great opportunity for businesses and organizations, as well as policymakers, to make it easier for people to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly choices.The fact that it’s often perceived as simpler and cheaper to buy new highlights the need to leave the throwaway culture behind,” says Anna Sundell, Head of Sustainability, Brand & Communications at Stena Metall.