The Right-to-Repair: Fixing Our Way Out of E-Waste
Tech companies make repairs harder, fueling waste and overconsumption. But the Right-to-Repair movement is challenging this cycle, making sustainable choices more accessible and affordable.
Every year, millions of tons of electronic waste pile up in landfills, leaching toxic chemicals into the environment and wasting valuable materials. At the same time, consumers find themselves locked out of their own devices, forced to replace products that could have been easily repaired.
Yet, many manufacturers deliberately make repairs difficult, locking consumers into a cycle of waste and overconsumption. The growing Right-to-Repair movement is pushing back, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.
The Environmental Cost of Broken Technology
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. In 2022 alone, the world discarded about 62 million tons of electronic waste, much of it containing rare and valuable metals like gold, copper, and lithium. Extracting these materials requires destructive mining practices that pollute ecosystems, destroy habitats, and accelerate climate change.
Many companies intentionally design products to fail or become difficult to repair, ensuring that consumers are forced to replace rather than fix. This practice — known as planned obsolescence — relies on tactics like proprietary screws, glued-in components, and software locks that block third-party repairs. These barriers force consumers into buying new devices instead of keeping existing ones functional, fueling a cycle of overconsumption and waste.
Fighting Waste, Saving Money
Repairing our devices not only saves money but also reduces waste, making it one of the most effective ways to minimize our environmental footprint. When companies restrict repairs, consumers face two costly choices: pay high fees for manufacturer-only fixes or replace their devices entirely — both of which drive up expenses and generate unnecessary e-waste.
Keeping products in use longer prevents millions of devices from ending up in landfills, reducing waste at its source. Instead of being forced to buy new, repairable devices allow consumers to extend the life of what they already own, cutting costs and reducing demand for resource-intensive production.
The ability to repair electronics doesn’t just benefit consumers and the planet, it also creates opportunities for innovation and economic resilience. Independent repair businesses thrive when consumers have access to affordable replacement parts and repair guides. Additionally, platforms like iFixit provide open-access repair manuals, empowering individuals to fix their own devices instead of discarding them.
The Global Push for Repair Rights
As demand for repair-friendly policies grows, governments and advocacy groups worldwide are challenging corporate repair restrictions.
The European Union has led the way by requiring manufacturers to make spare parts available for up to 10 years after a product’s release.
France introduced its Repairability Index in 2020, requiring companies to rate their products based on how easy they are to fix.
U.S. states like New York and Colorado have passed Right-to-Repair laws, mandating that manufacturers provide tools, parts, and documentation to consumers and independent repair shops.
While governments introduce repair laws, grassroots movements are proving that communities can take action even before policies catch up. Initiatives such as repair cafés are growing globally, creating community spaces where people can learn to fix their devices and share repair knowledge.
Despite progress, major tech companies continue to resist repairability, arguing that it compromises intellectual property and consumer safety. However, as legal challenges mount and consumer pressure grows, more companies may be forced to adopt repair-friendly policies.
How You Can Take Action
Whether through individual choices or collective advocacy, consumers play a crucial role in making repairability the norm. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Use repair services: Support local repair shops or certified repair professionals instead of replacing broken items.
Support repair-friendly brands: Choose companies that prioritize repairability and offer spare parts.
Extend the life of your devices: Perform regular maintenance, troubleshoot minor issues, and replace worn-out or damaged parts when possible.
Learn basic repair skills: Use online tutorials, repair guides, and instructional videos to fix common device issues.
Invest in repair tools: Having the right tools at home makes fixing devices easier and more accessible.
Advocate for repair rights: Sign petitions, support legislation, and raise awareness about the importance of repairability.
Share your knowledge: Teach others how to repair their own devices and spread awareness about the benefits of repairability.
Repairing for a Sustainable Future
The Right-to-Repair is about more than fixing gadgets — it’s about fixing a broken system. Supporting repairability extends the life of our devices, strengthens sustainability efforts, and challenges the throwaway culture that has dominated for too long.
By pushing back against wasteful practices, we can reduce our environmental footprint, save money, and take back control over the products we own. 🌿
Sources & Further Reading
Faulkner (2022) New York Enacts the Right-to-Repair Law. The Verge
Harrabin (2019) Climate change: 'Right to repair' gathers force. BBC News
Perzanowski (n.d.) Why Don’t Companies Want You to Repair Your Stuff. TED-Ed
Ramirez & Duffy (2021) Want to help the climate crisis? Don’t toss your old iPhone, fix it. CNN
Sawe (2024) Right-to-Repair: Making Products Last Longer Saves Money and the Climate. Forbes
Shukla (2023) The Environmental Impact of Broken Technology and the Right-to-Repair Movement. Earth.org
Sieg (2021) The EU is giving citizens the “right to repair” electronics — here’s what that could mean for the world. TED Ideas
Stokel-Walker (2023) How the Right-to-Repair Might Change Technology. BBC Future
Yeung (2021) The country rejecting throwaway culture. BBC Future