Some people think that products should be made to last as long as possible, while others think making the products cheap is more important. Discuss both views and express your own opinion.

When buying a product, most

people

weigh up price versus

quality

. While some feel that durability should be the main priority, others argue that affordability is more important. In

this

essay, I will examine both views and explain why I feel that

companies

and customers need to make responsible decisions. Those who prioritise

quality

argue that if

products

lasted longer, waste could be reduced. Indeed, it is obvious that as

products

have become almost disposable, the amount of landfill is growing. Most

people

,

for instance

, buy a new phone every two to three years regardless of need.

This

throw-away mentality drives more production which

also

contributes to environmental damage through raw material extraction, factory emissions, transportation and packaging. If we only bought one mobile phone per decade

instead

, we could dramatically reduce

this

impact. For others, lower prices are more important than

this

quality

. Indeed, compared to fifty years ago, the range of

products

on the market is bigger and the prices are much more affordable. A computer,

for example

, used to cost several thousand dollars, but now it is possible to buy one for under $300.

This

means that more

people

have access to

such

items, which means greater equality and opportunity, particularly when it comes to

products

such

as cars and electronics. Personally, I feel the best way forward is for both businesses and consumers to think carefully about their choices. For

companies

, consideration must be given to sustainable and ethical practices. Rather than producing a range of poorly made cheap clothing that will not

last

more than a season, it would be better to invest a little more in

quality

materials and workmanship. That said, it is

then

up to the consumer to reward those

companies

that step up. They too should seek out

companies

that demonstrate best practice rather than simply opt for the lowest price. In conclusion, the battle between

quality

and affordability is always going to exist. In order to strike a balance that minimises environmental impact and allows all

people

access to

products

, corporations and individuals need to use their judgement.