CALPIRG briefs lawmakers on Right to Repair

Last week, CALPIRG hosted a legislative briefing on current Right to Repair efforts in California. Attendees heard from Senator Susan Eggman (author of the CALPIRG-backed Right to Repair Act), a representative from the Federal trade commission, an intellectual property professor, and others on the importance of making electronics and appliances easier to fix.

The prevalence of unfixable stuff is a problem for both consumers and the planet. Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that it is now the fastest-growing part of our domestic municipal waste stream.  Americans could save a combined $40 billion if they were able to repair — instead of replace — products and extend those devices’ lifespans by 50 percent. 

Laws like Senator Eggman’s Right to Repair Act would expand access to parts, tools, and service manuals needed to fix our things. This would decrease prices for consumers and reduce electronic waste.

You can watch the full legislative briefing here.