2022
Upcoming - Dissemination of the first Canada-wide study on access to repair for electronics and electrical appliances.
Ongoing
Obsolescence and access to repair
For more durable products that are more easily repaired
To reduce the environmental impact of the products we buy, many things need to be done throughout their life cycle. A solid design, proper usage, good maintenance and the ability to repair, if needed. Équiterre is researching, raising awareness and proposing promising solutions to help make our products more durable.
The challenge
When we look at an item in our hands, we only see the tip of the iceberg of all the resources that were needed to produce it.
Our current overexploitation of resources, combined with increasingly short life cycles for many products, is unsustainable. How is it that electrical appliances made decades ago lasted far longer than those made today, despite technological advances?We know that we need to make our products more durable and last longer. Équiterre's study on obsolescence looked at many possible solutions, including increasing access to repair.
26%
of Canadians have their electronics and electrical appliances repaired.
“ We can no longer afford to operate in a system of production and consumption that favours low-cost replacement items over repairing existing ones. ”
Équiterre's work
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Équiterre is working to make it easier to consume responsibly, through reduction at the source, buying local, reuse, repair and sharing.
Since 2018, Équiterre has been pressuring governments to put more emphasis on the durability and repairability of products, prioritizing solutions to extend their life, such as increasing access to repair.
Objectives
- Raise awareness about access to repair and the fight against obsolescence
- Improve access to repair
- Cooperate with stakeholders to grow the repair movement and fight obsolescence
- Propose solutions to various levels of government
Our impact
- We published the first Canada-wide study on the obsolescence of electronics and electrical appliances.
- We have nearly 10,000 signatures on our petition to make products more durable and more easily repaired.
- We've participated in public consultations held by the Office de la protection du consommateur
Project history
2021
Planned obsolescence is addressed by legislation!
Passage in principle of Bill 197: An Act to amend the Consumer Protection Act to fight planned obsolescence and assert the right to repair goods.
2019
The 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse and, as a last resort, Recycle.
Participation in public consultations held by the Office de la protection du consommateur on product durability and repairability.
2018
Publication of the first Canada-wide study on the obsolescence of electronics and electrical appliances.
Testimonials
“ I founded Touski s'répare in 2016 to facilitate the repair of everyday products. Today the community encompasses tens of thousands of followers, and I've transferred its management to Équiterre to ensure its future, its relevance and that is maintains to the community’s values. ”
“ Équiterre is undertaking ambitious interdisciplinary research projects to offer a clear yet nuanced look at the complex issues surrounding obsolescence and repair of electronics and electrical appliances. The organization is playing a pivotal role in the transfer of scientific knowledge to the public and to political officials. ”
“ Équiterre’s work on the issues of obsolescence and access to repair provides a lot of insight. Through its ability to monitor, analyze and synthesize information on these topics, Équiterre is helping our business position itself in the public debate. By mobilizing organizations active in reuse, Équiterre is leveraging collective action. Thank you! ”
Take action
Analyst, Reduction at the Source
