Cutting E-Waste and Welcoming Sustainability at Your Repair Shop

Hey, people of the repair industry.

Did you know that humans generate 62 million tonnes of electronic waste every year?

While it’s not a great thing to be one of those who contribute to this huge amount, what can a repair shop do to counter e-waste?

Maybe it’s easier than you think, because e-waste mostly consists of cell phones, tablets, and laptops. What’s worse is that many of these devices are not even outdated. People just find it easier to replace them instead of getting them fixed.

As the word of sustainability creates more buzz, people are slowly moving away from the ‘buy new’ mindset. According to a 2024 survey by Deloitte, 72% of Gen Z consumers now consider repairability before purchasing tech products. On top of that, the Right to Repair movement and rising environmental concerns are pushing consumers to seek smarter, longer-lasting solutions.

So, as it turns out, there’s good news for repair shops in this unfortunate situation.

Repair shops are quietly flipping the cards in this narrative by fixing devices that customers consider throwing away. This means going beyond repair services and welcoming sustainability. 

Whether it’s a cracked screen or a dying battery, your repair technicians know that the device still has a long life ahead. The missing piece of the puzzle is to communicate this to the customer effectively. Just by keeping this kind of tech in circulation, you can reduce e-waste and save the environment.

And who doesn’t like some extra business at their repair shop?
Customers who see your shop as a trusted problem-solver are more likely to return and refer others. Moreover, repairs open the door to upselling accessories, insurance, and offering protection plans, which builds real loyalty.

Want to know what you can do to stand out even more?

• Educate customers about e-waste and the impact of their repair choices
  
• Highlight your eco-friendly practices in-store and online
  
• Offer options for responsible recycling in case of irreparable items
  

At the heart of it all, repair isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about restoring trust by doing what’s right for us humans as a whole.

So if you’re running a repair shop, you’re already part of the solution. You’re proving that repair isn’t just a backup plan, its the only choice.