Hundreds of thousands of reparable phones, laptops being thrown away in the Netherlands

A lot of smartphones, laptops, and tablets are being thrown into the garbage heap, and in some cases even into incinerators, despite being easily reparable, research from CE Delft, commissioned by Natuur & Milieu, shows. The research states that government policy should make it possible to have an extra 800,000 mobile phones repaired or “refurbished” to work for a longer period of time.

The researchers calculated that this could raise around 35 million euros for the Dutch economy and provide 400 to 550 jobs. Consumers would save an average of around 50 euros a year if their phone were to work for a longer period of time.

Measures will be needed to force consumers to repair their devices more often, as it is currently rare. People often think a repair is too expensive or too much of a hassle when they can buy a new device easily.

Nature & Milieu would like to see the Netherlands take an example from France and Austria. These countries offer special repair vouchers to customers. People can use a government subsidy to have their device fixed in the nearby area.

Other suggestions that the organization made are lower VAT rates for repaired products, a maximum price for parts, or an obligatory share of repaired products in stores.

If electronics last longer, it reduces the need for scarce raw materials and is better for the climate. According to the study, the potential climate benefit amounts to around two megatons of CO₂ emissions saved per year. “That’s comparable to the emissions of more than 600,000 cars, or 1.2 million round-trip flights between Amsterdam and New York.”