‘It’s your device, you should be able to repair it’
When faced with a malfunctioning smartphone, many individuals opt for a repair shop or consider purchasing a new device. However, Billy, a resourceful individual, decided on a different approach. Unable to cover the repair expenses, he ordered a replacement screen online, followed a tutorial, and successfully repaired his phone himself. "It took me about two hours. I was quite anxious," he shares, preferring to keep his last name undisclosed. Soon, he became the go-to person at his school in Canada for phone repairs. "I was known as the guy fixing phones in class," he recalls.
This initiative is part of a broader movement aimed at tackling the alarming rate of electronic waste generated globally. In 2019 alone, a staggering 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were produced, with less than 20% being recycled, as reported by the UN's Global E-waste Monitor 2020. Projections indicate that by 2030, this figure could soar to 74 million tons. "E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world," states Rolf Skar, a special projects manager at Greenpeace USA. He emphasizes that neglecting to recycle precious metals leads to harmful mining practices that irreversibly damage the planet.
Moreover, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) highlights that extending the lifespan of electronic devices, such as smartphones, by merely one year could equate to removing two million cars from the roads in terms of CO2 emissions. Suhaib represents a growing community of individuals who are not only repairing their gadgets but also empowering others to do the same. Through his YouTube channel, Phone Repair Guru, he shares repair tutorials, aiming to alleviate the fear many feel about opening their damaged devices. "It's your device; you should have the ability to repair it. There shouldn't be anything preventing you," he asserts.
In response to the increasing demand for sustainable products, new EU regulations set to take effect will ensure that appliances like fridges, washing machines, and televisions are more durable and cost-effective. EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius stated, "The aim is to make sustainable products the standard." However, while these changes are often referred to as "right to repair" laws, advocates argue that more action is necessary. Chloé Mikolajczak from Right to Repair Europe notes, "We can claim we have reparability requirements in Europe, but we cannot assert we have the right to repair." Currently, the law does not encompass smartphones and tablets, which are increasingly challenging to fix.
As the electronics industry claims to be making strides in product reparability, they also caution that the intricate nature of ICT products may limit consumers' ability to perform repairs safely. Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, director general of DigitalEurope, emphasizes the need for a careful approach to ensure quality and safety in repairs while recognizing the importance of manufacturer-led repair networks.
In the interim, repair cafés have emerged as community hubs where individuals can learn to fix their broken items. Originating in Amsterdam in 2009, these cafés have proliferated worldwide. Frank Schoofs established the Marlow Repair Café in the UK, motivated by the frustration of lacking the necessary tools and parts for repairs. "I gathered volunteers who possess repair skills to assist those with broken items," he explains. The café organizes free repair events, covering a wide range of products from toasters to smartphones.
In India, the Repair Café Bengaluru was initiated by Purna Sarkar, where the focus is on the right to livelihood for local repairers. "Repairing is not expensive in India; it's about sustaining livelihoods," she notes. The cultural concept of frugality has long been integral to Indian society, though the market is now flooded with less repairable products. The café has conducted numerous workshops across the city, uniting volunteers and community members.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, the Club de Reparadores promotes a culture of repair through community events. Melina Scioli, a co-founder, remarks on the local inclination to creatively solve problems, especially amid economic challenges. "The ability to hack and repair is deeply ingrained in our culture," she states. This non-profit initiative encourages collaboration and skill-sharing, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among participants.
Despite the successes seen in these initiatives, advocates stress that stringent regulations are crucial for enabling broader repair options for household gadgets. Ugo Vallauri of the Restart Project emphasizes the need for systemic change, including laws to prevent manufacturers from discontinuing support for products prematurely or designing them to be virtually unrepairable.
Moreover, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) highlights that extending the lifespan of electronic devices, such as smartphones, by merely one year could equate to removing two million cars from the roads in terms of CO2 emissions. Suhaib represents a growing community of individuals who are not only repairing their gadgets but also empowering others to do the same. Through his YouTube channel, Phone Repair Guru, he shares repair tutorials, aiming to alleviate the fear many feel about opening their damaged devices. "It's your device; you should have the ability to repair it. There shouldn't be anything preventing you," he asserts.
In response to the increasing demand for sustainable products, new EU regulations set to take effect will ensure that appliances like fridges, washing machines, and televisions are more durable and cost-effective. EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius stated, "The aim is to make sustainable products the standard." However, while these changes are often referred to as "right to repair" laws, advocates argue that more action is necessary. Chloé Mikolajczak from Right to Repair Europe notes, "We can claim we have reparability requirements in Europe, but we cannot assert we have the right to repair." Currently, the law does not encompass smartphones and tablets, which are increasingly challenging to fix.
As the electronics industry claims to be making strides in product reparability, they also caution that the intricate nature of ICT products may limit consumers' ability to perform repairs safely. Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, director general of DigitalEurope, emphasizes the need for a careful approach to ensure quality and safety in repairs while recognizing the importance of manufacturer-led repair networks.
In the interim, repair cafés have emerged as community hubs where individuals can learn to fix their broken items. Originating in Amsterdam in 2009, these cafés have proliferated worldwide. Frank Schoofs established the Marlow Repair Café in the UK, motivated by the frustration of lacking the necessary tools and parts for repairs. "I gathered volunteers who possess repair skills to assist those with broken items," he explains. The café organizes free repair events, covering a wide range of products from toasters to smartphones.
In India, the Repair Café Bengaluru was initiated by Purna Sarkar, where the focus is on the right to livelihood for local repairers. "Repairing is not expensive in India; it's about sustaining livelihoods," she notes. The cultural concept of frugality has long been integral to Indian society, though the market is now flooded with less repairable products. The café has conducted numerous workshops across the city, uniting volunteers and community members.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, the Club de Reparadores promotes a culture of repair through community events. Melina Scioli, a co-founder, remarks on the local inclination to creatively solve problems, especially amid economic challenges. "The ability to hack and repair is deeply ingrained in our culture," she states. This non-profit initiative encourages collaboration and skill-sharing, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among participants.
Despite the successes seen in these initiatives, advocates stress that stringent regulations are crucial for enabling broader repair options for household gadgets. Ugo Vallauri of the Restart Project emphasizes the need for systemic change, including laws to prevent manufacturers from discontinuing support for products prematurely or designing them to be virtually unrepairable. 
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