Stuff breaks. Wear and tear is normal, but throwing away otherwise functional devices shouldn’t be. Rather than sending broken items to the landfill or paying companies an arm and a leg to fix them, we should have the right to repair our own devices.
And yet, product manufacturers intentionally make repair difficult. Think appliances, cell phones, laptops, tablets, medical devices and farm equipment. Electronics companies monopolize access to their service know-how, tools, and parts so that consumers are reliant on them for fixes. They churn out software updates that slow older devices. Companies have perfected planned obsolescence. Have you ever tried to repair an item only to find out that an upgrade is cheaper or a better deal? All this so that we cycle through and buy more of their Stuff.
Along with accelerated consumption comes more waste. But we can stop this cycle by fixing things instead of throwing them away, thereby reducing landfill and electronic waste.
So, what’s the fix?
Story of Stuff is supporting Right To Repair legislation that encourages more fixing, less wasting.
One such bill made it through the New York State legislature and awaits the governor's signature. The Digital Fair Repair Act would require digital electronic manufacturers in the state to make repair tools, parts and instructions available to consumers and independent shops. Now, we must urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law.
This is the moment for all of us to step in and call on New York to lead on this issue and set the standard for the right to repair. Passing this legislation in New York would build momentum for other states and the nation to follow suit and may open the floodgates for tech companies to standardize the practice. But the Governor has not given any indication that she will sign it.
Will you sign the petition urging Governor Hochul to sign Right To Repair into law? It’s common sense legislation that’s good for people and good for the planet. That’s a fix we can get behind.
Want to learn more?
Watch our animated short:
