1. Physical Credit Cards
Tapping or swiping may soon be a thing of the past. Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and even facial recognition are making payment easier and more secure. By 2030, your smartphone—or even just your face—might be all you need to pay for anything.
2. Gas-Powered Cars
With electric vehicle (EV) mandates and ambitious goals to phase out fossil fuels, traditional gas guzzlers are on the decline. California plans to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, and other states are following suit. By 2030, EVs could dominate the roads.
3. Standalone GPS Devices
Remember those chunky GPS devices that stuck to your windshield? Most people have already swapped them for smartphone navigation apps. By 2030, even your car’s built-in navigation system might be outdated, as cloud-based, AI-driven maps update in real-time.
4. Paper Receipts
Paper receipts are disappearing as retailers shift to email or app-based records. Major stores like CVS and Walmart already offer digital receipts, and as environmental awareness grows, the idea of printing every transaction seems increasingly wasteful.
5. Traditional Cable TV
The cord-cutting trend is unstoppable. With streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ offering tailored, on-demand content, fewer people see the need for expensive cable packages. By 2030, traditional cable TV may be as quaint as rabbit-ear antennas.
6. Keys—House and Car
Physical keys are steadily being replaced by smart locks, keypads, and digital key fobs. Tesla and other automakers already let you unlock and start your car with your phone. In a few years, jingling keychains might feel like ancient history.
7. Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles are under fire for their environmental impact. Cities like San Francisco have already banned their sale on public property, and alternatives like refillable bottles and boxed water are gaining traction. By 2030, single-use plastics could be on the way out.
8. Landline Phones
Landlines are already fading, with over 60% of American households relying solely on mobile phones. By 2030, traditional home phones may exist only as emergency backups or nostalgic relics.
9. Physical Newspapers
With news increasingly consumed online, physical newspapers are on life support. While a few may survive for niche audiences, the days of the morning paper landing on your doorstep are likely numbered.
10. Passwords
Passwords may finally get the boot, replaced by biometric authentication like fingerprints, facial recognition, and passkeys. These systems are faster, more secure, and less hassle than trying to remember dozens of login credentials.
11. Non-Electric Lawn Tools
Gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers are noisy, polluting, and on borrowed time. Cities like Los Angeles have already banned gas-powered gardening tools, and by 2030, electric models could take over completely.
12. CDs and DVDs
Physical media has been on the decline for years, with streaming services and digital downloads taking over. By 2030, finding a DVD player—or a new movie released on disc—might be nearly impossible.
13. Cash
The rise of contactless payment methods is making cash less common. Many businesses already operate as cashless, and by 2030, we might fully embrace a digital currency society.
14. Shopping Malls
The golden age of the mall is over. Online shopping, same-day delivery, and smaller, specialized retail spaces are redefining how we shop. By 2030, many traditional malls could be repurposed as community spaces or housing developments.
