The production of furniture, technical devices, and other items requires energy and raw materials. Therefore, repairing is usually more environmentally friendly than buying new. Nevertheless, in 2020 alone, more than one million tons of electrical and electronic devices ended up in landfills in Germany. Many of these could have had a second life.
International Repair Day: repair instead of replace
International Repair Day , which takes place this year on October 18, 2025, addresses this issue and last year led to more than 2.000 events in over 40 countries worldwide. This day of action aims to encourage people to focus on repairs instead of buying new things, to question our consumption, and to engage with the topic of repair. Choosing to repair a device instead of replacing it is not only good for the environment, but often also for your wallet.
EU demands sustainable designs
The European Union also recognizes the problem and therefore revised its Ecodesign Regulation in 2024. This regulation applies to almost all types of products placed on the market in the EU. The regulation aims to ensure that products are designed sustainably so that they can be easily repaired and reused. Furthermore, repair instructions must be publicly accessible and materials must be easier to recycle.
From June 2025, manufacturers of smartphones and tablets sold within the EU will be required to provide a label informing consumers about the product's durability and repairability, among other things. A repairability index for tumble dryers has also been adopted at the EU level and is to be displayed on the appliances from 2027.
Everyday repairs
Even end consumers can easily make an important contribution to promoting a repair culture in their everyday lives:
- Use repair servicesInstead of buying a new device, you can use repair services. Many manufacturers offer fast and affordable repairs. Often, a phone call or a look at their website is all it takes.
- Learn to repairMany products can be repaired with just a few simple steps. Use DIY tutorials or visit repair cafés, which are available in many cities. There, you can work on repairing devices together with others and get helpful tips.
- Shop consciouslyBuy Rebuy products and, when purchasing new devices, pay attention to their repairability. Check the availability of spare parts, manuals, and software updates before deciding on a new product.
- Giving old smartphones a second life: Sell your old mobile phone to a Rebuy provider who repairs and resells the device instead of disposing of it as e-waste. It's quick and easy, you earn cash and protect the environment.
Your contact person at Arqum: Christian Heinrichs