The Restart Project in the U.K. elevates communities that are embracing a culture of repair.
New right-to-repair laws in Europe aim to reduce waste, extend product lifespans, and move us past “throw-away” mindsets and products (think: single use plastics, fast fashion, smartphone upgrades). To learn more about the moment and what’s ahead, Ashoka’s Maria Razquin caught up with Ugo Vallauri, co-founder of The Restart Project in the U.K., an organization that focuses on repair and electronics—the fastest growing source of waste in the world.
Maria Razquin: Ugo, you are saying that every product should be repairable and that repairs should be accessible and affordable for everyone. What is your starting point?
Ugo Vallauri, co-founder of The Restart Project, a founding member of the European Right To Repair ... [+]
Ugo Vallauri: At the most basic level, we want to fix our relationship with the products we buy. This means regaining the confidence to repair products when they break and reconnecting with the “why” this should be a priority. We can all extend the lifespans of the products we own and appreciate the environmental impact of the materials involved in production. At The Restart Project, we also celebrate the power of communities to bring back repair for everyone. We do this through restart parties and repair events throughout the UK. In parallel, we work on legislative changes that can only be achieved by collective will and data drawn from across the movement. The higher-level goal is to consume less, consume better, and reduce our need for new materials.
Razquin: It’s a big moment for repairability in Europe, with the EU taking concrete steps. Tell us more.
Vallauri: Yes, it’s an important moment. We’re starting to see the results of the work that we and others have put in for years. We’re proud to have co-founded the European Right to Repair campaign, a coalition that has grown to include over 150 organizations pushing for ambitious legislation to support the consumer’s right to repair. Product design is one element. So, for example, any entity that wants to sell or distribute a product within the European Union must make that product more repairable by increasing the number of spare parts available, providing repair information and tools required, and so on—or in the case of smartphones, supporting the devices with software updates for at least five years. This change will go into effect in June 2025, while it’s already the case for appliances like washing machines. Most products are not covered yet, though, from headphones to printers and e-bikes, so we need to keep pushing so that every product is repairable.
Razquin: What about plain old durability and building products that last?
Vallauri: Also key. Phones will need to be built to withstand more falls before the screen breaks. Batteries that retain capacity for more cycles will be mandated. And starting in 2027, most electronics will need to be designed with user-replaceable batteries—devices are too often abandoned because replacing the battery is complicated or costly. Manufacturers are lobbying the European Union (EU) for exemptions for this, so it’s essential that organizations like us keep watching! Also, the EU will introduce an online mapping platform listing repair and buyback options, to make repair options visible. But we are concerned that new legislation might not sufficiently tackle the high cost of repairs.
Razquin: Are there examples where repairability has been effectively incentivized? Which countries are leading the way and what can we learn from them?
Vallauri: Yes. We’re seeing financial incentives that make repair far less costly and more attractive. Some exciting examples already exist in Austria, France, and parts of Germany, where repair bonuses and vouchers cut repair costs by up to 50%. This makes a big difference—not only for future products but for products people already own.
Razquin: Digital access and inclusion is another goal of the repair movement. How does making technology that lasts longer expand access?
Vallauri: Whenever you extend the life of a product, it also means that a product one person no longer needs can become useful to another person who can’t afford a brand-new product, locally or globally. But right now, communities with limited financial resources are too often stuck in a trap of buying either non-durable, throw-away products, or second-hand devices that quickly become no longer supported and obsolete So, repair laws will help global digital access.
Razquin: What other global impacts do you anticipate?
Vallauri: We expect that the new European legislation will have an impact beyond the region. Manufacturers will be less likely to make two versions of the same product—one for the EU and another for outside the EU. So, designing for durability and repairability will become more prevalent and we hope eventually the new normal in design, manufacturing and post-sale consumer services. As for things like software support and updates, manufacturers will likely make these accessible to consumers beyond Europe. Refurbished products will become more useful globally, reducing overall electronic waste. If a smartphone with support that lasts for 10 years ends up in a different region of the world as a refurbished product, that refurbished product will be more attractive and useful for longer if it's fully supported.
Razquin: Inspiring changes! What can everyday consumers do to support this shift to more repairability and durability?
Vallauri: You can start with three things. One, everyone can care and help friends and family care. This is what we’re talking about when we say, “fixing our relationship with electronics.” So, this means maintaining the products you own and trying to protect them from breaking in the first place—making the most of what we already have access to. Two, consider seeking out your local community repair group. I think you’ll find it truly transformational to learn to fix things with the help of someone in your community with more experience. There are thousands of community repair groups across Europe, and the movement is growing globally. You can find many of the groups listed on The Restart Project’s website and on partners such as Repair Cafe International. And three, start to observe and interrogate the over-production and consumption around us. In the same way that you think twice about taking a single use plastic fork or bag, start noticing the compromises we are pushed to make. Tap into existing movements, such as our European coalition. Also, in the U.K., The Restart Project is advocating for a Repair and Reuse Declaration. In the U.S., there's a strong and growing right to repair movement. And if you live elsewhere and want to bring the repair movement to your country, please get in touch. We would love to connect you to active parts of the movement.
Razquin: Ugo, looking ahead, what would you like to see emerge and become the new norm—and conversely, what habits and mindsets do you imagine disappearing as the repair movement advances?
Vallauri: I want to see manufacturers move away from releasing new versions of the same product so frequently and instead focus on supporting and updating each version for longer. I’d like to see all single-use, throw-away products disappear. And I hope we can all look forward to better access to what we really need—and not be surrounded by noise and useless products! The result will be that we can all participate mindfully in our digital society, while reducing the shocking amount of e-waste we generate.
Ugo Vallauri is an Ashoka Fellow. You can read more about his work here.
This interview is edited for length and clarity.
