International Repair Day

International Repair Day, celebrated on the 19th October, highlights and celebrates those that see redundant and damaged equipment as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience.

What are the Benefits of Repair?

When something stops working, it is natural to look for the easiest and most straightforward solution. When it comes to technology, this solution is often to discard redundant equipment and replace it with something new. Although buying new does have its place, it is not always the answer. Choosing to repair can be a better option both environmentally and economically. 

A recent survey conducted by Techbuyer and the University of Hull found that 79% of company respondents repair or upgrade enterprise IT equipment in-house. 73% of respondents cascade assets between users to make best use of resources, meaning they recognise that first use is not the only use, and there is value in prolonging the life of assets. 

The most obvious benefit of repair is that it reduces the amount of equipment that goes to landfill, in turn reducing the amount of e-waste generated globally. E-waste is a growing problem for us all and getting ahead of it in any way possible is vital. Once you begin to look further up the chain, however, you start seeing other environmental benefits too. If society begins to lean more towards repairs over replacement, it will reduce the need to mine raw materials, a pool of finite resource that requires a large amount of energy and water during the extraction process. 

A more individual benefit of repair is cost savings. The reality is that repairing your damaged device is often significantly cheaper than replacing it with an entirely new one. An uptake in repairs can also create more green skills roles, something that will become increasingly important over the next few years.  

But repair goes further than this. Repairing hardware is a skill that you can learn yourself, not only saving even more money, but also providing you with a sense of achievement and self-reliance. If you are interested in learning how to repair your own devices, it can double as an opportunity to meet other likeminded people through repair events and workshops.  

How Techbuyer Supports Repair

With over a decade of experience in refurbished technology, International Repair Day is extremely important to us. Techbuyer are one of 360 signatories for the UK Repair and Reuse Declaration. The declaration encourages the UK government to make it easier for people to repair products and increase their lifecycle.  

Our primary objective with every single piece of equipment that arrives in our warehouse is to refurbish, repair, and resell. If this is not possible, our Resource Recovery team will harvest the equipment for parts that could be used in another device to extend its lifecycle and boost performance.

So, Why is International Repair Day so Important? 

The importance of International Repair Day is immense, and this is only amplified here in the UK. The UK is the second highest producer of e-waste per person on the planet. The statistics highlight the need for systemic change in how we approach our electric and electronic equipment. The relationship people have with their technology is just like any other relationship: it lasts much longer with commitment and care. 

International Repair Day highlights something of immense importance that provides major benefits to anyone who take part in this practice. It is an opportunity to save money and the environment all at once, but if we are to see significant change, the uptake of repair needs to be further encouraged.  

We have seen a rise in refurbished and repaired products over the past few years, with large marketplaces such as Back Market continuing their upwards trajectory, while other long time household names such as Currys have also begun to lean into refurbished goods. This is a promising trend, but there is still progress to be made.  

We must foster a culture that is much more open to repair as a first option rather than a last resort. This not only requires supporting policy changes and businesses that offer refurbished products, but also for repair to remain more accessible and affordable for everyone.  

Techbuyer have an extensive history of supporting technology repair, and you can read more about this here.