The right to repair; or who owns your products?
Before we launch into what I hope to become an open discussion on the right to repair, take a moment to peek up from your screen. Chances are, you’ve got several electronic devices within eyeshot. Now, how many of them would you be able to fix yourself right now? And honestly, what would you do if the repair cost only slightly less than an entirely new product?
If the annual numbers for officially licensed smartphone screen repairs are any indication, we’re not talking hypotheticals here. Having your broken screen replaced can cost a pretty penny — And in an age where we become increasingly tech-reliant, if we cannot fix it ourselves, we’re quick to replace it with the newest model.
We’re all encouraged to celebrate innovation, while maintenance is often dismissed as a chore. In fact, maintenance is usually only noticed in its absence — think failing gadgets, ripped clothes or cars that won’t start. Repairs seem to lack the allure of innovation, but let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture for a moment. At the core of this topic lie our environmental responsibility, our understanding of consumerism, and our acceptance of the throw-away society we’re living in — And the question: Who owns the products that you buy? If the answer is you, shouldn’t you be able to repair what you rightfully own?
Here’s where things get tricky: Even in 2019, consumers or independent repair shops still don’t have full access to the service information, tools, and parts needed to guarantee effective repairs. A system that’s designed to replace rather than repair has implications that go way beyond your wallet. The production of e-waste is projected to grow to more than 50 million metric tonnes annually by 2021. That’s the equivalent of 4000 stacked Empire State Buildings. Let that sink in for a minute…
The connection between these skyscrapers of discarded electronics and our right to repair is fairly straightforward. If our products were designed to last, to be repaired, more of us would take the time to fix what we own. The act of repairing opens up the stories behind our products, helping us understand their design trade-offs and footprints. And once you’ve had this experience yourself, you might even start to apply the method elsewhere. There is a chance that afterward, you won’t take the world for what it is anymore. In a way, you’ve learned to open up the box. And from then on, you’ll want to know more about what’s inside.
Without this kind of technological literacy, we can always only consume, but not produce. Only read, but never write. If our technology is smart, yet we remain oblivious of its inner workings or its social and ecological effects, how can we claim that we’re evolving? Companies like iFixit, which offer product tear-downs and free repair information, provide a contemporary answer to this question. In my opinion, initiatives like these — reclaiming the right to repair — deserve a more prominent platform. I would go as far as to say, having control of our products is essential for the future of technology and our planet. Ideally, this will be a future, where repair is less of a rebellion and more par for the course.
As always, I’m curious to hear your take on the issue. How do we nurture pride in ownership and the responsibility we take for our devices? Let’s discuss in the comment section below.
Jan Blaffert
Content Manager
