Twenty years ago, a consumer’s right to repair didn’t exist. Though the idea of reusing goods has been around for centuries, it was only applied to electronics within the last fifteen years. The first Right to Repair initiative took place in 2012 in Massachusetts, when voters overwhelmingly approved the initiative demanding that car makers provide independent shops with the same diagnostic and repair information and tools provided to dealers and authorized repair shops. Since then, it has flourished into a national movement, with active repair legislation in seven states and at least 40 states that have introduced repair legislation. Device repair is a critical step to reusing electronics, which helps reduce e-waste and protects the environment by keeping used devices in circulation and out of the waste stream.
Right to Repair Pushback & Support
The Right to Repair has not always been openly embraced. A few years ago, tech giants like Apple and Microsoft frequently lobbied against the movement. Their notorious pushback has been a source of frustration among consumers, especially as prices continue to rise. However, many OEMs have begun showing support by implementing repair policies and adjusting the manufacturing process to be more repair-friendly.
Chip maker Intel recently shared thoughts on incorporating a modular design into electronics to comply with right-to-repair policies. The company discussed these thoughts in a blog post written by the vice president of Intel’s Platform Engineering Group.
“Modular PC architecture is an innovative approach that addresses this requirement of end-of-life extension with the flexibility to upgrade and repair their systems with ease,” Intel wrote. The blog post also noted that a modular PC design would help extend product life and reduce e-scrap with upgradable systems and repairable or replaceable components, streamline manufacturing design and manage costs by reusing modules, and enable easier product SKU management and faster time to market.
The Environmental Impact of Device Repair & Reuse
Device reuse is a key factor in e-waste reduction and is becoming more popular as the price of electronics skyrockets. Millions of consumers use and discard mobile assets that are still functioning, wasting valuable resources and contributing to the global e-waste crisis. Additionally, when electronics are not disposed of correctly, they can cause pollution and even be the source of large chemical fires. Reusing IT assets helps prevent them from entering the waste stream and extends their life spans.
ITAD Providers Offer Repair & Remarketing Services
Companies that remarket or donate used IT assets provide a cost-effective alternative to purchasing brand-new devices for those without access, helping to create a used device sales channel. ITAD enterprises like HOBI collect used IT assets and ensure they are responsibly disposed of, and some offer repair and remarketing services to maximize the value of used devices. As an R2v3, RIOS, and ISO 14001 certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of industry experience, HOBI focuses on maximizing economic return and prioritizes contributing to reducing the carbon footprint through reuse and e-recycling.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 877-814-2620 or contact us at sales@hobi.com.