Authorized Electronics Repair Access in Alaska

Electronics have become commonplace and ubiquitous in most people’s lives. The global market for just consumable electronics is projected up to $977 billion in 2025, and expected to rise 2.9% per year over the next few years. 

A few quick facts:

• Approximately 98% of adults in the United States now own a cellphone and 95% of households have at least one computer.
• Around 84% of homes in Alaska have a washing machine.
• Over 99% of American households have at least one refrigerator, and 60% of homes in Alaska have a standalone freezer.
• Small appliances like air fryers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers are becoming more and more common.
• The average American household has 24 electronic devices and in 2021 spent an average of $1767 on new electronics.

What about the e-waste?

While there are certainly benefits coming from some of this growth in electronics, there are also downsides. Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest growing wastestreams in the world. The average American is producing 47 pounds of e-waste per year and e-waste can threaten both the environment and public health when inadequately managed. Electronics contain dangerous chemicals like cadmium, lead, mercury, flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and more that can cause health problems for humans, plants, soil, wildlife, and microbial species. When we landfill, dump, or burn electronics, those chemicals pollute soil, leach into groundwater, and cause air pollution. This is of special concern for many rural communities in Alaska because the landfills are unlined and 73% of them burn without emissions controls to reduce volume.

Repair

One of the most effective ways to reduce the production of e-waste is to use each electronic device for longer, and buy new less often. The average person in the United States buys a new phone every two to three years, considers a new computer every three to five years, and puts in a new appliances every  six to 40 years. Some farmers buy new tractors and combines every single year. Some of this purchasing behavior can be attributed to people seeking improvements in technology, but many people replace devices because they break or stop working as effectively: batteries start dying more quickly, screens crack, charging ports become misshapen. Repair is the obvious solution and could save the average family $382 per year, but can sometimes seem inconvenient or be less viable than replacement. Manufacturers of electronics often withhold the spare parts, tools, and schematics necessary to repair devices, giving them a monopoly on repairs. They can then set the prices as they see fit, and make a new purchase more appealing.

Do Alaskans have access to authorized electronic repair providers?

We surveyed authorized repair access in Alaska for a few major brands of phones, computers, appliances, and farm equipment.

• The only authorized repair service providers for Apple products, LG appliances, and Samsung appliances in the state are in Anchorage. 
• Deere has service in Fairbanks, Wasilla, Anchorage, and Soldotna, but no options off of the railbelt. 
• There are no authorized service providers for Samsung phones or Lenovo computers in Alaska.

Even the largest population center in the state has limited options, and much of the state has no easily accessible authorized repair options. If no authorized repair is available locally, there are three options. 

1. Smaller items can be shipped to an authorized repair provider. 
2. Alternatively, an authorized technician can be sent to the device- this is common for larger devices like appliances or tractors. 
3. The third option is replacement or doing without. 

Shipping or sending in an authorized repair technician to a remote location can be expensive and time consuming, especially in Alaska. For example, the United States Postal Service includes Alaska in its 12 day service standard for packages being sent from Seattle. More rapid transport will cost significantly more.

Recommendations

1. Pass Right-to-Repair Legislation: Require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and schematics at reasonable costs.
2. Support Local Repair Businesses: Encourage policies and consumer behaviors that bolster local repair services.
3. Promote Repair Clinics: Host community events where volunteers teach basic repair skills to reduce waste and build local resilience.
4. Include Repair Education in Schools: Include electronics repair in school curriculums to foster a culture of repair and expand repair skills.
5. Encourage Durable Design: Advocate for products designed with longevity and repairability in mind.
6. Implement Repairability Scores: Label products with repairability scores to help consumers make informed choices, particularly in rural areas.