[b112]

I'm not sure if you meant this, but I wonder too.. from the perspective of:

- energy loss in resource extraction and refinement (steel, aluminum, plastic, etc, etc)

- manufacturing energy use

- shipping energy use

- disposal energy costs of old device (including recycling costs)

- all the pollution in the above, versus pollution from local energy sources

It's entirely possible that an energy efficient fridge that lasts 2 years, could cost more energy than a fridge from the 60s that keeps on running.

So outside of "cash cost" even the energy cost may be higher!

[fakedang]

But those energy costs are externalized from the manufacturer to other players, so no company cares.

[b112]

Precisely. So state mandated longer warranties will level the playing field for all manufacturers, whist improving environmental comcerns.