We spend hundreds of dollars on electronics we use everyday only to have to replace them soon after because something fails or can’t be repaired.
It’s annoying but we do it because what choice do we have?
Europe just passed a bill that would required electronics to last at least a decade.
This applies to tablets and phones but also appliances like refrigerators, washers, hairdryers or TVs.
They’re calling this the “right to repair” law.
Companies that sell electronics in Europe must guarantee those devices can be repaired for up to 10 years. The new law also requires manufacturers to provide repair manuals, and to ensure that all devices could be repaired using conventional tools.
This article points out that appliances are often glued or riveted together and if you need specialist tools or have to break open the device, then you can’t repair it.
Lack of spare parts is another problem, sometimes a single broken tooth on a tiny plastic sprocket can make the entire unit unusable.
Not only would this be great for your bank account but the environment too. Electronic waste was responsible for 59 million tons garbage in 2019, and that number is expected to double by 2030.
This sounds like something that countries around the globe could benefit from! Hopefully we will see something like this is Canada & the US.
