WashPIRG builds support for the Right to Repair

This summer, WashPIRG canvassers knocked on thousands of doors across Washington to raise awareness about the Right to Repair, a bill that would allow consumers to fix their electronic devices when they break. 

So what did we learn by speaking with community members, collecting petition signatures, making phone calls, taking photo petitions, and talking with legislators about the Right to Repair? There is overwhelming support across Washington for the right to repair our devices. WashPIRG staff delivered over a thousand petition signatures alongside 200 photo petitions to Washington state Representative Mia Gregerson (LD-33), who is the main sponsor of the bill. 

This legislation has already passed in 7 other states, and it came very close to passing in Washington last session. In fact, Washington is now the outlier on the West Coast, since California and Oregon already passed Right to Repair bills. That’s why WashPIRG is working tirelessly to show our legislators that across the board, constituents want the Right to Repair bill to pass in 2025.

Why do people want the Right to Repair?

1. Good for their wallets.

Right to Repair legislation saves consumers money. American households spend about $1,767 buying new electronic products per year. Being able to fix phones, computers and appliances instead of buying new would save the average Washington household $382 per year. 

2. Good for the environment.

“Disposable” shouldn’t be used to describe our electronics, but unfortunately electronic waste is now the world’s fastest growing waste stream. That’s a problem — especially when only 17.4% of this e-waste is being properly recycled worldwide. 

Washingtonians throw away an estimated 3 million cellphones each year, which often end up in our landfills. Not only is this waste toxic to our environment, but 85% of the energy and climate impact associated with a smartphone comes from manufacturing. Therefore, if every Washingtonian extended the life of their phone by just one year, it would be the climate pollution equivalent of removing nearly 15,000 cars off the road.

3. Good for small businesses.

Many repair shops are small, independently-run businesses which cannot survive when manufacturers monopolize the repair industry by limiting access to the tools and schematics that are needed to perform repairs. Right to Repair legislation would support these businesses and give consumers more low-cost options for repair.

Even for those who had never heard of the Right to Repair, everyone relayed a shared experience of struggling to fix their personal electronic devices when they break.

One member shared that they felt incentivized to upgrade their phone when their screen cracked because it seemed more cost effective to buy a new phone than simply replace the screen. Others conveyed frustrations about the rising costs for simple electronic repairs and “things not being built to last the way they used to be.”

So what did we learn from going door-to-door, educating the public about the Right to Repair Act? Simply that Washingtonians want to reduce their electronic waste, save money, and have the right to fix their stuff when it breaks.

You can show your support for the Right to Repair Act by signing our petition below or by contacting your own legislators and asking them to support Right to Repair in the upcoming legislative session.