5 reasons why the Washington state legislature should pass Right to Repair in 2024

It is important to acknowledge how important technology has become in our society. Technology is in everything, from our high-tech coffee machines and refrigerators to wheelchairs and watches. Many people rely on their computers for work, and a broken keyboard could stall work for multiple days while they wait to get it back from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, when manufacturers restrict access to the digital schematics and physical tools needed to repair items, it makes it even more difficult for consumers and independent repair shops to fix their devices. As a result, we end up paying more and waiting longer for repairs, or just tossing otherwise-fixable devices in favor of newer models. 

As the 2024 legislative session kicks into action this week, WashPIRG is prioritizing one key piece of legislation that’s on the table again this year: Right to Repair. 

Right to Repair would make it easier for us to fix our own devices by expanding access to manufacturers’ spare parts, physical and software tools, and diagnostic and schematic information needed to make repairs. 

In 2023, the Right to Repair bill came closer than ever to becoming part of Washington law, but unfortunately it was one vote short of passing through a key committee.

2024 is the year we’re going to get it across the finish line. And this year, the bill has been expanded beyond personal electronics to also include farm equipment, electric wheelchairs and household appliances, so Washingtonians can fix more of our stuff when it breaks. 

Here are five reasons why our state leaders must pass the Right to Repair bill in 2024:

1. The bill has been expanded to include more products

After watching the success of other states passing their own versions of the Right to Repair, Washington’s bill has expanded to include items already covered by law in other states. This includes personal electronics (covered in New York, Minnesota and California), power wheelchairs (Colorado), farm equipment (CO), and home appliances (MN and CA). If passed, Washington state would have the most comprehensive Right to Repair law in the country. 

2. Right to Repair supports small businesses

Most people can’t afford to wait for a manufacturer halfway across the country to fix their devices. As a result, repair shops have settled in both large and small towns across the U.S., giving consumers convenient options for repair, offering technical training and education, and creating stable, local jobs for engineers. 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. If you need to fix your laptop, tractor, wheelchair, or dishwasher, you should have the option to seek help from local repair shops instead of being forced to rely on the large manufacturers. Right to Repair would protect these small, local businesses. 

3. Right to Repair is good for the planet

Our habit of replacing devices with the newest models every time they get damaged is unsustainable. As technology is further incorporated into our devices and appliances, we are finding it harder and harder to repair our stuff. Washingtonians are throwing away over 8700 phones every day and producing roughly 256,000 tons of e-waste annually. E-waste, the fastest growing form of waste, often contains toxic chemicals like lead and mercury that contaminate our water. What’s more, researchers have found that 85% of the energy and climate impact associated with a smartphone comes from manufacturing. It’s estimated that if every Washingtonian extended the life of their phone by just one year, it would be the equivalent of removing 8,100 cars off the road in terms of climate emissions. 

We are extracting resources at an unsustainable rate, and repair would reduce demand for newly-manufactured devices. Given that throwing out broken devices and manufacturing new ones damages our planet, the Right to Repair offers Washingtonians an opportunity to conserve our natural resources and lower our emissions while extending the lives of our devices.

4. Right to Repair saves consumers time and money

The average American household owns 24 electronic devices and spends roughly $1,480 each year on new ones. WashPIRG has found that families could save 22% of that each year if they extended the lifespan of their devices by half through repair. That’s $330 per household, or $960 million statewide.

This is also important when we think about the scale and significance of farm equipment repairs. Farming requires tight windows to complete necessary work, so any time farm equipment breaks down, it can endanger their crops. Manufacturer-imposed repair restrictions make equipment breakdowns even more painful by forcing farmers to rely on their dealership for many fixes. Farmers may have to wait for days until a technician can visit their farm to fix their computerized equipment. We estimated that Right to Repair reforms would save U.S. farmers $4.2 billion per year by providing farmers with independent repair options.

What’s more, for people who rely on power wheelchairs to get around, access to fast and affordable repairs is a necessity. A U.S.PIRG Education Fund report surveyed 141 wheelchair users and found many instances of wheelchair users having to wait months to receive critical repair service. These large manufacturers also charge much higher prices for repairs that could be more affordable if independent repair shops and users had access to the necessary information and tools. 

5. Right to Repair helps to close the digital divide 

Repair monopolies do not affect everyone equally. While repair may be relatively accessible in urban areas, the limited number of manufacturer-authorized repair providers leaves rural or suburban consumers with few options. For Washingtonians outside of urban centers, a broken device likely means a long trip to the nearest authorized repair shop, or even longer shipping times. 

The Federal Trade Commission found in a recent report that the financial burden of repair restrictions is likely greater for communities of color and lower-income Americans, who in turn are more likely to depend on their smartphones for internet access. Manufacturer restrictions likely also have a disproportionate impact on minority-owned small businesses, many of which are in the repair industry. Especially in today’s age of remote work and online classes, being unable to fix a device can be a major setback in school or the workplace. Right to Repair would reduce the digital divide by making repair more accessible for Washingtonians.

Take action to support Right to Repair

As legislators debate the Right to Repair bill (HB 1933) this session, it is important that they hear from people across the state who are concerned about this issue.

If you are a Washingtonian who wants to support Right to Repair, sign our petition here.

If you own a repair shop and want to break up manufacturer repair monopolies, sign our Washington Businesses for Right to Repair petition here.

Lastly, one of the best ways to make your voice heard is to call your local legislator. You can use this website to find the legislators for your district, and their contact information.

Call them and let them know you support Right to Repair.