Right to Repair

Environment Washington Research and Policy Center speaks up for right to repair

Advocates speaks to environmental impacts of e-waste at a scorecard release highlighting how repairable (or not) consumer electronic devices are.

Dax Tate | TPIN

Today, WashPIRG Foundation released the “Failing The Fix” scorecard, which highlights how repairable (or not) consumer electronic devices are through a calculated repairability score for the most popular cell phone and laptop brands.

At a press conference outside of Google’s office buildling in Fremont, Seattle, Environment Washington Advocate Pam Clough highlighted the environmental impacts of e-waste.

Consumer electronics are extremely resource intensive to make, and they’re hazardous to get rid of. E-waste accounts for less than 2 percent of the worlds waste stream by volume, but it causes over 70% of the waste stream’s harmful and toxic environmental effects.

It’s estimated that Washington could eliminate 256,000 tons of e-waste each year by repairing instead of replacing our devices. Additionally, if Washingtonians used cell phones for one year longer on average, the environmental benefits would be equivalent to taking 14,600 cars off the road.

The release of the “Failing the Fix” scorecard comes one day after the WA House Committee for Consumer Protection & Business advances the Fair Repair Act in a bipartisan 7-6 vote.

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