Repair - Let's make more of what we have.

In a crowded church hall, two small girls stand alongside their mum peering into a partially disassembled electric whisk totally bemused by its complex innards. Their weekend ritual of making cupcakes for Granny's visit was cut short this morning when the whisk heads refused to spin with the usual flick of a switch. I point out that moisture has made its way inside, causing the motor bearings to seize with rust. With some liberally applied oil and some gentle persuasion, the whisk whizzes back into life to the delight of the girls. It is unlikely that any of my clumsy technical explanations sank in, but I certainly hope the girls learnt a far more important lesson - it’s not always necessary to replace when you can repair.

This was my first experience as a repair volunteer at a local Repair Café. Since then, every third Saturday of the month, I prepare to tackle almost any type of product repair that’s thrown at me. Within these monthly 3-hour sessions, I’ve fixed the most diverse array of items including wheelchairs, jewellery, chainsaws, toasters, balance boards, furniture and more than a few coffee machines. My motivations to get involved are threefold. Firstly, as a responsible global citizen, I want to play a hands-on part in reducing the volume of items that make it to landfill. Secondly, as an industrial designer, I hope discussions with real people and direct interaction with their problematic items can influence better product design. Thirdly, I genuinely derive a great deal of personal gratification from fixing things and the resulting joy this may bring to others.?

It’s been a year since I began putting my practical skills to good use, so I thought now would be a good time to reflect on my thoughts and observations.

Repair Cafés are part of a grassroots global movement that relies on the expertise of local volunteers to undertake free repairs on items that can be carried in by the public. They are a community-oriented initiative that attempts to encourage us all to rethink our attitudes towards the objects we own and our readiness to discard things that are perfectly serviceable. Since its establishment by Martine Postma in the Netherlands in 2011, Repair Cafés now total almost 3000 globally. Although it is the biggest organisation of its type, it still falls within a broader group of social enterprises collectively referred to as the? ‘Fixer Movement’ which also includes The Restart Project, tool libraries, upcycling groups etc.??

Repair Cafés should be thought of as an emergency ward for broken items where the focus is on quick fixes to get them working again or at least diagnose the problem so that advice can be given on an appropriate course of action.

And in a time when both the climate crisis and the cost-of-living crisis are affecting us more acutely, access to Repair Cafés provides a way for citizens to reconcile their environmental conscience whilst also benefiting their wallets. Although they are not intended to take work away from commercial repairers who make a living from replacing phone screens or renovating furniture etc., the rising cost of professional services presents the public with an ethical dilemma as they weigh up the economic impact of whether to repair or replace.?

So why is repair important?

Repair is an intrinsic part of the circular economy with a beneficial impact that exceeds that of recycling. It’s becoming increasingly acknowledged that extending a product's longevity is a far more effective way of reducing our burden on the earth's valuable resources and the CO2 emissions associated with their manufacture. In simple terms, extending an item's life is primarily considered far better for the planet than producing replacement products. Public awareness of this fact is increasing which is undeniably influencing our attitudes towards product ownership, consumption behaviours and repair. We are demanding greater control over the lifespan of our products and are seeking brands to support these endeavours.

For decades, consumers have had diminishing options when they encounter problems with products that no longer work as intended. Either products are designed to discourage repair, replacement parts are unavailable or access to professional repairers has become more scarce and expensive. Out of necessity, consumers are progressively becoming more encouraged and empowered to fix things themselves. We have seen a rise in popular TV programs such as BBC’s The Repair Shop, countless entertaining YouTube tutorials on fixing almost anything and websites such as iFixit.com providing tools, parts, guides and an online community of support to repair common electrical items. We are also seeing growth in the hand tools market reflecting the growing popularity of DIY activities and home improvement trends.

Of course, a good care and maintenance regime is the first step in delaying the need for repair. Caring for the items we already own often requires little effort or minimal skill and is the one thing pretty much anyone can do to ensure the items they own last as long as possible. Many simple faults can be rectified by novices with readily available user-replaceable components (filters, batteries etc.) and user instructions typically contain all the necessary info for good product care.?

When you have reached the limits of your confidence in self-repair, this is where Repair Cafés come in.

Each organisation within the fixer movement has its own way of capturing data from their repair endeavours so it is difficult to appreciate the total global impact this movement is having. However, Repair Cafés are encouraged to use RepairMonitor which provides an online portal that collects data on repairs in a globally centralised system. Unsurprisingly, small electrical/electronic appliances represent the largest category of items being brought in for repair (~35%)? but they also represent the category with the highest repair failure rate. It is little wonder that e-waste is the fastest-growing global waste stream. The data highlights the worst offending brands and identifies common faults in specific models. Vacuum cleaners and coffee machines are the most frequently requested repairs. Although not all Repair Cafés are signed up to the RepairMonitor, this portal provides a significant dataset and valuable insights on reparability, which can be used to lobby manufacturers and politicians for better products that fit the circular economy.?

According to the available figures around 75% of items brought in resulted in a successful repair or appropriate advice offered on what to do next. And for those items deemed beyond repair, there are still a number of options before a trip to the dump is necessary including offering them up for donor parts or even considering creative ways to upcycle or repurpose for other uses.?

The top reasons for repair failures are:

1. Parts availability. Parts or materials are either not immediately available during the repair session or are no longer available from the manufacturer.
2. Insufficient time. As Repair sessions run for 3 hours and each job is recommended to only take 30 mins, it is sometimes impossible to complete a more complex repair.
3. Specialist knowledge. Most repairers have good general knowledge and experience but some repairs are occasionally beyond their ability.

The skills gap

Although there are plenty of indications that the fixer movement is steadily growing, an ever-expanding skills gap could significantly limit its potential scale. Sadly, there is mounting evidence to suggest that the next generation is losing touch with practical skills and the experience required to take on repair compared to their predecessors.

Just as the largest group of visitors bringing items into Repair Cafés are aged over 60, so are the majority of volunteer repairers. It’s possible that growing up post-war they were still being influenced by a ‘make do and mend’ mentality where pragmatism and fixing were encouraged. They will have certainly grown up in an era before the rapid growth of today’s overconsumption culture and throwaway attitudes. Some studies also suggest that older adults are generally more altruistic than younger adults so they are more likely to volunteer their time. Whatever the reason this group certainly have a broader skill set when it comes to repair but succession planning could be an issue.

In contrast, the smallest segment of visitors and volunteers at Repair Cafés are aged 19-34. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that young adults care any less. Sadly, younger generations have grown up in a culture where replacing items rather than having them fixed is far more normalised. Naturally this results in a drop in skills and awareness of what to do with problematic items. It is now more critical than ever that we inspire younger generations to build the appropriate skills, confidence and desire to keep the products they own for as long as possible.?

I have previously expressed views that the sidelining of creative subjects at all levels of education has been detrimental to future generations. I would add that this is also significantly contributing to a loss of confidence in making and repairing. It is no surprise that this apparent drop in skills coincides with the decline of subjects requiring you to use your hands. These include subjects such as art, music, design & technology and even cookery. Alarmingly we are even seeing the practical aspects of the sciences being removed by many schools. And it doesn’t stop there. Some university 3D design, engineering and even medical courses are reducing or removing practical modules altogether to focus on purely academic aspects of learning. I’ve heard firsthand that the overheads associated with running workshops and labs are high and therefore considered more expendable. If purely theoretical and academic merit is considered to be more important than practical learning we are in big trouble. When you consider that our progress as a human species is defined by our mastery of complex tools and the shaping of the world around us, practical intelligence should be far more revered.?

It would appear that some educators and policymakers are belatedly realising just how important the teaching of practical knowledge is. It will take some significant educational reform to redress the balance required but we are at least seeing local schools and youth groups reaching out to our Repair Café to help them educate and inspire our next generation on repair at the earliest opportunity.?

As technology advances and the manufacturing processes evolve, some skills naturally become redundant. Skills that were once critical to production are being lost, with the fate of many being in the hands of individuals who are unable to make provisions to pass them on. You only need to look at the Heritage Crafts Red List to see which traditional skills are under threat. Many are now only surviving in the form of more nostalgic hobbies. One positive outcome of the COVID lockdowns was the extra time people had to explore new hobbies. This influenced a rise in traditional craft and making. I’m not suggesting that we revert back to outdated manufacturing methods but being a good repairer can start with developing skills through a hobby. The more you try, the more you learn, and the more your confidence increases to tackle more complex challenges which can ultimately be transferred into other areas.?

Technology also helps reconnect younger generations with making and fixing. Not that long ago, 3D modelling software and rapid prototyping were prohibitively expensive. In recent years we have seen a rise in affordable home 3D printers, free 3D modelling software or downloadable 3D data. This has helped democratise the production of physical objects that would have previously required a high level of skill and cost. With Google, YouTube, TikTok etc. being the go-to teaching platforms for younger generations so much more can be self-taught. In fact, our youngest Repair Café volunteer, aged 13, recently reverse-engineered and printed a broken gear required to fix a set of blinds.

Growing up surrounded by digital technology, there is no doubt that the younger generation is far more familiar with electrical/electronic devices, and this is the one area where they appear to be filling a skills gap in the repair movement. There is no doubt that devices and machines are becoming way more sophisticated. You only need to look under the hood of a modern car to be faced with an almost impenetrable ‘black box’ of tech that discourages the repair efforts of even the most confident of us. Although this may be offputting to some seasoned repairers the next generation seems less daunted. Unlike Repair Cafés, The Restart Project certainly appear to attract a younger dynamic of repairers, likely due to their exclusive focus on fixing electronic devices. This is encouraging as previously mentioned that electrical/electronic items are the biggest category requiring repair and this is the fastest-growing global waste stream.?

Just as the practical skills and attitudes towards repair were influenced by the global crisis of WW2, perhaps we will see a call to alms of the younger generation motivated by the climate crisis. Regardless of age or skill, we need to be doing everything in our power to encourage every generation to get hands-on and reengage with extending the longevity of a product.?

Of course, the one elephant in the room comes down to simple economics. The current principle of ‘free’ repair is wholly dependent on a voluntary workforce. Can we rely on the long-term goodwill of a relatively small, potentially diminishing, group of volunteers to shoulder the burden of shifting the attitudes and behaviours of the masses? Repair needs to economically work for all. If we are to encourage future generations to develop the skills to embrace product care and repair, there need to be viable jobs and career paths for them. Relying on altruism, activism, shame and fear will only get us so far as environmental fatigue threatens to quell our collective enthusiasm. In order for design-for-repair principles to succeed they will need to make financial sense for all stakeholders.?

Thoughts for manufacturers

Many manufacturers will only offer new products or change their business model when there is sufficient evidence of consumer demand.? Although, there is plenty of evidence of consumer willingness to move away from the current take-make-dispose culture many still don’t trust research and trend forecasts enough to move to solutions that support repairability. As consumers can only buy what’s made available to them, this makes for cautiously slow progress when more significant and urgent action is required.?

Working in product development for over 30 years, I understand the rationale behind why most products are designed the way they are. The material choices, product features, production processes, intended lifespan etc. are all defined to optimise profits. I’m not ignorant to the fact that global commerce is largely dependent on the established consumption model and upsetting the complex ecosystems that support it will be challenging. That said, when faced with a global threat such as COVID we have recently proved that our collective intelligence and common need to combat a threat affecting us all, we can change our social behaviours, ways of working and even develop a vaccine in record time. We are facing a threat no less deadly to the human species right now with climate change so why wouldn’t people, businesses and government bodies place the same level of urgency and put equal efforts into tackling this issue??

One question I dread being asked by both repair customers and repair volunteers is ‘What do you do?’.? When I reveal that I’m a designer, I’m usually met with the same response ‘This product has failed because of bad design, why don't designers do a better job?’. A lecture on the complexities of the development process, detailing the roles and responsibilities of decision-makers within that process would be futile, so I suck it up and simply state that I am here to learn and pass on my observations so that those who may have more influence could advocate change. However, I do feel obliged to explain the likely reasons a snap feature is used instead of a screw, why a manufacturer might select lower-grade material that is more prone to corrosion or the logic behind the order in which things are assembled etc. This doesn't necessarily help with the repair but may satisfy the customer's conscience that the failure was inevitable and less likely a fault of theirs.

I would say that most designers and engineers know perfectly well how to design products that are durable, can be repaired and utilise materials responsibly. I would even argue that the egos within us would want the products we design to be used and enjoyed for as long as possible. The truth is that designers are conveniently blamed for product failures simply because of their job title and the word ‘design’ is a catch-all for all aspects of how a product turns out. Although it may be part of a designer's responsibility to encourage others in the development process to make good design decisions, ultimately all design decisions typically come down to cost.

It's easy to understand why most people believe that the higher retail costs of reputable brands mean higher quality products that last longer and might even have better after-sales support. I can tell you that that isn’t always true. Times are changing and big brands that rely on their reputation to convey quality and longevity run the risk of being exposed.

Many startups are recognising the opportunities with consumer frustration and are ready to offer solutions that address them. We are seeing phones and laptops becoming available with user-friendly repair systems to simplify upgrades. Some companies are recognising that they need to shift from their established business models in order to appease disgruntled consumers threatening to betray their brand loyalty. Apple's Self-Service Repair was introduced to give consumers the option to fix some commonly known problems themselves without affecting their warranty. Although it appears that their method to deliver on this is so complex and costly to the would-be self-repairer that it’s unlikely to have a huge take-up.?

We are seeing some encouraging signs that manufacturers are acknowledging their responsibilities as printer and laptop manufacturer HP in Boise, Idaho, US, hosted the first ever in-house Repair Café for and by employees. It would be great to see more of this.

For those manufacturers not taking proactive steps to design for longevity, legislation such as the Right to Repair Act, adopted by the EU and UK, will force change under penalty of law. This legislation requires manufacturers to ensure their products have accessible repair information and spare parts are available for at least 10 years. Although this currently applies to a narrow selection of product categories this is expected to expand along with the scope of requirements.?

It is also expected for other countries to follow the French government which adopted a law regulating the mandatory display of clear information for consumers on the repairability of electrical and electronic equipment. The Repair Index assesses 5 criteria: Documentation, Disassembly, Availability of spare parts, Price of spare parts, and Product-specific aspects.

Smart design and some brave actions by manufacturers can contribute to a more circular economy that fosters a culture of repair. I’d suggest that they consider iFixit's Repair Manifesto which neatly summarises much of what I have experienced as a volunteer repairer so far.

I'd also recommend checking out this super engaging and informative article on designing for longevity from my former colleague George Cave.

Final thoughts?

For a strong repair culture to really take hold it will require a seismic change by government, manufacturers and consumers to move us away from the disposable culture we find ourselves in. Based on my research and the frank discussions with customers at the Repair Cafés, I am optimistic that public attitudes towards consumption and our readiness to dispose of perfectly serviceable objects are changing. However, the speed of change could certainly be accelerated if we are to meet the substantial global sustainability targets that have been set.?

For me, repair is both personally rewarding and professionally eye-opening. I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone involved in product development to experience a Repair Café by taking along a faulty item. You may even consider volunteering yourself! At the very least, I hope that this article has caused you to stop and think about this issue and maybe encourage you to promote the value of repair to others. I'd like to sign off by asking a few questions that I think are important for the professional community to help answer:

1. How do we accelerate a move towards products that have greater longevity?
2. How does the repair movement become less reliant on voluntary support?