The Municipality of The Hague organised the first E-repair meeting on the 27 May, as part of the E-6 project. Together with five other European cities, The Hague is working to develop tools and solutions to strengthen the E-repair sector. A diverse group of both commercial and non-commercial parties came together to discuss the future of the sector.
The reason for this meeting was the need for concrete tools, actions and solutions that are proposed and requested by the sector itself. Prior to the meeting, the Municipality of The Hague conducted an exploration of The Hague's E-repair sector. Based on this, a select group of repairers and other relevant parties were personally invited to contribute ideas based on their expertise, knowledge and experience.
During the meeting, participants were divided into groups to enter into dialogue with each other and formulate ideas to strengthen The Hague's E-repair sector. The session focused on finding practical and innovative solutions that directly address the needs and challenges of the sector. During the session, there was enthusiasm and support to continue the conversation with each other in order to further develop these solutions or tools together.
What actions are needed?
1. Education and awareness: there is a major shortage of well-trained repairers. Many professionals are leaving for other sectors, and there is a need for experienced mentors. The high cost of qualified repairers and specialized training, such as micro-soldering, poses significant challenges. How can we (partially) solve the shortage of well-trained repairers without it costing too much for companies? Interns cost a lot of time and money without adequate compensation. Social repair internships can help by providing hands-on experience and increasing youth engagement. In addition, iImproving education and information is crucial. This can be done, among other things, by:
- Pay attention to repairs in schools.
- Organize viewing and listening days with technology students at repair companies.
- Provide more and better education and information.
- Launch awareness campaigns.
- Start young, just like with glass and paper.
- Repairing is fun and easy to make.
- To give the profession of repairman more prestige.
- To raise awareness of the profession of repairer in education, for example through social repair internships.
2. Benefits and Incentives: coupons and vouchers can encourage people to get appliances repaired instead of throwing them away. Insurers can play a role by offering repair as the first option. Offering coupons and vouchers can incentivize repairs:
- Discount coupons / vouchers, for example linked to the Ooievaarspas.
- Incentives for repair and recycling.
- Vouchers for alternatives such as dry cleaning in case of defective washing machines.
- Rewards for useful material in the form of discounts or vouchers.
- Have insurers offer repairs more actively.
3. Community Events and Campaigns: by organizing events and campaigns, a wide audience can be reached and involved in repairing devices. Events and campaigns can promote repair culture:
- Spring promotions/clean-up actions for the return of electronics.
- Government communication campaigns (such as advertisements in bus shelters).
- Increasing consumer awareness and behaviour through campaigns and events such as The Hague Repair Day.
4. Collaboration and platforms: cooperation between entrepreneurs and other stakeholders can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the repair sector. Fostering mutual cooperation through platforms and shared facilities:
- Realizing cooperation via a platform or a Marktplaats-like app where entrepreneurs can refer each other.
- Shape collaboration by starting a parts hub with shared parts storage.
- More structural cooperation with Repair Cafés.
- Provide a buffer zone by the municipality where parts of broken appliances are made available before they are disposed of.
- Developing an app or website for repairs and distinguishing reliable repairers.
- Availability of service manuals/repair guides for consumers and repairers.
- Setting up a technical union for better cooperation within the sector.
- Developing a platform in the form of an app or website for better collaboration between companies, insurers and consumers, and distinguishing reliable repairers.
5. Support and regulation: financial incentives and improved regulations can create a more favourable environment for repairs. Providing financial and logistical support to repair companies and sustainable entrepreneurs:
- Exemption for repair companies when handing in residual waste.
- Helping sustainable entrepreneurs cover costs.
- Intensify lobbying for better laws and regulations.
- Abolish VAT on repairs.
- Improving the repairability of devices by manufacturers.
- Encourage insurers to increase their willingness to repair.
6. Waste management and reuse: creation of an efficient waste stream and promote reuse. Promoting efficient waste management and reuse:
- Use of a collection van for old appliances, which also contributes to awareness.
- Better collection and sorting locations for old appliances and parts.
- Offering a service that strips materials for usable parts or residual waste.