Product life cycle: The many steps that go into creating, using, and disposing of a product. A product life cycle typically starts by removing raw materials from the Earth (for example, cutting down trees, mining metals, or pumping oil). These raw materials are then transported, processed, and manufactured into usable products. Next, the product is packaged and transported to a place where people can buy it. The final steps occur when people use up, throw away, or recycle the product.
Product life cycle