Belgian and Dutch Partners Collaborate on Vacuum Cleaner Repairs
In autumn 2024, Belgian partners of the E6 project travelled to the Apeldoorn ecosystem to take part in a hands-on repair initiative. A key focus of the visit was testing and validating new repair protocols for discarded vacuum cleaners—an essential step in improving repairability at scale.
This initiative was the result of a 2024 study by Stichting OPEN, Circular Crafts Centre Foenix, and Saxion’s Regional Development research group, which explored how to optimise the intake and repair process for vacuum cleaners. The challenge? Designing a repair protocol that could be followed by employees with limited repair experience, while ensuring each step was as efficient and effective as possible. The study produced detailed step-by-step process diagrams, but the real test was whether these would work in practice.
To put the protocols to the test, Foenix arranged a container full of collected vacuum cleaners. Belgian and Dutch repairers, working in pairs, headed to the Foenix technical workshop to validate the process. Step by step, they followed the instructions to check whether the repair methods were practical and easy to execute. As the repairers worked through the steps, their enthusiasm grew, seeing firsthand how structured processes could improve efficiency.
Key Findings from the Testing Process
✅ Repairability of common faults depends on the level of disassembly required – the deeper the disassembly, the more complex the repair.
✅ Dusting the interior of a vacuum cleaner is a simple but essential step that improves performance.
✅ Many common defects are easy to fix—minor interventions can restore functionality.
❌ Power-related failures are more challenging, requiring additional technical skills and more time.
❌ Product design variations make repairs harder—identifying the right screws and dismantling a vacuum cleaner is almost like a mini-training session in itself.
Despite some limitations, the repair protocols generated a great deal of interest among participants. The insights gathered will now help refine the process, with the tested repair protocols set to be implemented in both the Apeldoorn and Leuven ecosystems.
By making repairs more accessible, efficient, and standardised, the E6 project continues to drive forward Re-use, Repair, and Refurbish initiatives, ensuring that more products are kept in use for longer and waste is minimised.
