The Right-to-Repair Movement has grown tremendously since its inception in 2012, becoming a nationwide movement supporting consumers’ right to repair their devices. Beginning in Massachusetts, more states adopt repair legislation every year. So far in 2025, many new policies concerning e-scrap and electronics, including the introduction of new right-to-repair legislation. Sixteen U.S. states have introduced repair legislation, reaching an all-time high for the right-to-repair movement.
U.S. States with repair legislation include:
- Alaska – SB 61
- Connecticut – HB 6053
- Florida – S 1132
- Illinois – SB 122 and HB 2549
- Massachusetts – SB 189 and HB 433
- Missouri – HB 582
- New Mexico – SB 69
- New York – S 4655, A 3058, and S 6438
- Rhode Island – SB 60 and HB 5246
- Texas – HB 2963, SB 2428, and HB 3682
- Vermont – HB 161
- Virginia – HB 2483
- Washington – HB 1483 and SB 5423
- West Virginia – HB 2155
Indirectly related to the right to repair:
- Oregon – Senate Joint Memorial 8
- Pennsylvania – HB 386
Device Repair & Reuse Support Circularity
Device reuse is beneficial to consumers and the environment. Inflation has resulted in skyrocketing prices for electronics, driving consumers to seek alternate options. Many users are keeping devices longer and opting to purchase used devices rather than new ones. This reduces the need for more resources and keeps used devices in circulation, reducing e-waste. Reusing electronics via device repair helps prevent them from entering the waste stream and extends their life spans. This contributes to a circular economy and helps mitigate e-waste altogether.
Practice Caution in Self-Repair
Although the right to repair advocates for users to be able to repair their own devices, it is specifically geared towards enabling third-party repair shops to do repairs rather than OEMs. Some consumers opt to repair devices themselves. However, self-repair can be dangerous and result in battery fires and damaged devices if not done correctly. A primary issue for third-party repair was restricted access to information and tools they would need to complete repairs. OEMs like Apple became notorious for restricting access to necessary materials, forcing consumers to utilize OEMs alone for repairs. Repair legislation pushes OEMs to grant third-party repairs necessary access to information and tools required to repair their devices. Several OEMs have released self-repair kits for at-home use. However, safety measures should be taken before handling battery-containing devices without proper training.
Device reuse is becoming more popular as the price of technology increases. More than half of consumers favor right-to-repair policies, and despite previous pushback from OEMs, many tech giants are adhering to consumer demand and implementing repair policies. ITAD providers like HOBI also offer repair and remarketing opportunities for asset redeployment and donation programs for clients seeking to maximize value in retired IT assets.