Since childhood, I've been fixing broken devices – from toasters to smartphones. Time and again, I see the same pattern: a simple, inexpensive repair becomes an impossible task because manufacturers deliberately block access to parts, tools, and information. When consumers bring malfunctioning devices to retailers, they're often told: "It's a few years old, you'd better buy a new one."
This creates two devastating problems: financial burden for people with limited income who cannot afford constant replacements, and environmental disaster as perfectly functional devices end up in landfills, contributing to the growing e-waste crisis.
The right-to-repair.eu initiative is part of a global movement fighting for our fundamental right to repair the products we own. This movement is gaining momentum across Europe, inspired by pioneers like Louis Rossmann in the United States, who has been tirelessly advocating for repair rights through his YouTube channel and legislative activism.
Manufacturers often make repair impossible through various tactics:
This isn't just about broken phones or laptops – it's about systemic injustice. It's about corporations taking control of products we've paid for, limiting our choices, and forcing us into a cycle of consumption that benefits their profits at our expense and the planet's cost.
The fight for right to repair begins with awareness. We must educate consumers about their rights, support legislation that mandates repairability, and choose to buy from companies that embrace repair-friendly practices.
This is our money. This is our device. This is our right to repair.
The right to repair movement isn't just about fixing things – it's about taking back control, reducing waste, saving money, and building a more sustainable future. Every repair is an act of resistance against planned obsolescence and corporate control.