Life Cycle Engineering and Product Management for a More Sustainable Future

Think back to the last electronic device that you threw away; that cracked smartphone or those damaged earbuds, where did they go? Chances are, they became part of the tens of millions of metric tons of e-waste the world generates every year. Less than 20% of this type of waste gets properly recycled, with much of it ending up in landfills and contaminating the environment. 

But what if products were designed to last longer, be easier to repair, and—when they reached the end of their usefulness—were fully recyclable? Life cycle engineers and product managers are working to answer these questions, playing an important role in helping companies think differently about product sustainability and environmentally responsible tech. 

What is Life Cycle Engineering? 

Life cycle engineering focuses on a product's entire journey—from raw materials to manufacturing, use, and end-of-life disposal. To minimize waste and maximize efficiency, these engineers aim to make products more sustainable by using recyclable or biodegradable materials that reduce long-term environmental impact. They also aim to optimize production methods to cut emissions and conserve resources. Ultimately, they seek to create products that are durable, repairable, and easily broken down for reuse or proper disposal. 

Some major tech companies are beginning to focus on sustainability in their product development. For example, Apple reports that 59% of the aluminum used in their products comes from recycled sources, and Dell and Samsung have extensive recycling and refurbishing programs for their used and damaged products. These companies also publish regular, publicly available sustainability reports for transparency and accountability. 

Where Product Management Meets Life Cycle Engineering 

Product managers oversee products on the whole span of the life cycle journey. They may have life cycle engineers on their team to help with the design of eco-friendly products, depending on the objectives of the company, or they may possess life cycle engineering skills themselves. They balance business goals and user needs to create products that make sense economically, and often, environmentally. 

Product managers and lifecycle engineers are increasingly integrating sustainability into this process by advocating for eco-friendly design choices in early development, such as ensuring materials come from ethical and sustainable sources. They may also have the ability to advocate for products that are upgradable, repairable, and compatible with future tech. 

Tackling the E-Waste Crisis through Product Management 

Tech waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. In 2022 alone, the world generated 62 million metric tons of e-waste. Without intervention, this number could reach a staggering 78 million metric tons by 2050. 

But the future isn’t entirely bleak. Thanks to life cycle engineering and product management, more tech companies are adopting modular design systems, which allow consumers to swap out broken parts instead of replacing an entire device. Hewlett Packard (HP) is using recycled plastics in their laptops and printers, and Apple uses its Daisy robot to disassemble iPhones and recover valuable materials for reuse in future products. Further, Right to Repair laws are gaining traction, giving consumers more options to fix their devices instead of discarding them and buying new. 

The collaboration between life cycle engineers and product managers is crucial for industries like green energy, where long-term sustainability is a key aspect of their mission. Wind turbines, for example, can last 20–25 years, and over that lifespan, use millions of blades. Companies like Veolia are turning these old turbine blades into materials for bridges and other innovative infrastructure projects. By exploring new options, prioritizing sustainable efforts, and fostering creativity and partnerships in product management, we can hope to reduce e-waste and look towards a brighter, environmentally friendly future. 

Engineering and Product Management at Capitol Tech 

Life cycle engineering and product management are critical to the creation and adoption of sustainable tech. Whether it’s reducing e-waste, making renewable energy more accessible, or promoting circular economy practices, these disciplines are shaping a world where technology and sustainability go hand in hand. 

Capitol Technology University offers programs in management of technology and engineering that provide you with the knowledge and skills to address the complex issues surrounding sustainability.  

Join us for our live Cap Tech Talk on Thursday, April 17 at noon (EST) for a presentation on sustainability efforts around the world.

To learn more about our academic programs, contact our Admissions team or request more information.