It's a given that cartridge units will wear out. CC will too, eventually, but if it's a high quality unit that's properly maintained, it can last a lifetime. So environmentally, I'm not a big fan of the cartridge units, but the convenience factor is compelling; more or less so depending on how much you like to wrench and how much time you have. I'll say this - I haven't felt a cartridge unit that's as smooth as my Nuovo Record cup/cone unit. Does that really matter? Probably not.