Why Repairability Matters

Sustainable Minimalists

Bleav + Stephanie Seferian

Leisure, Parenting, Kids & Family, Home & Garden

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 January 2024

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In some ways, our preponderance toward tech disposability is systemic. We consumers in the US are denied the right to repair: fixing a broken smartphone, then, is costly. It's simply more convenient to replace our broken item for the newest model. When your device is broken you should have more options than a high-priced service or the landfill, and New York agrees. The Digital Fair Repair Act should make it easier to repair our smartphones and laptops at shops of *our* choosing. It's good news, because the law may ultimately bring down repair prices for all of us. And if repair is affordable? Fingers crossed, tech stays out of landfills. On today's show: Nicholas De Leon from Consumer Reports breaks down this landmark grassroots consumer win. Here's a preview: [3:45] Need-to-know details about New Yorks' Digital Fair Repair Act [9:00] Why aren't dishwashers, washing machines, and other "white goods" covered? [19:30] What if any benefits from NY's new law will non-New Yorkers receive? [25:00] The bigger picture: Why repair what's designed to break? Resources mentioned: New York Right-to-Repair Law Promises Easier, Cheaper Electronics Repairs (via Consumer Reports) iFixit This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Well, hello, and welcome back. My name is Stephanie Safarian, and you're listening to
0:04.7	episode 431 of Sustainable Minimalists. This is a show about intentional and eco-friendly
0:11.7	minimalist living.
0:14.0	On today's show, we're breaking down the intricacies of New York State's Digital Fair
0:19.4	Repair Act, which just recently went into effect.
0:23.6	And guess what?
0:24.6	It is good news for all of us.
0:26.8	New Yorkers, yes, of course, but also non-New Yorkers,
0:30.5	too.
0:31.4	Now, before we talk about the law law let's set the stage by chatting for a quick moment about
0:36.8	your smartphone chances are real good you're listening to my voice on your
0:41.6	smartphone right this moment. How old is your phone? Are you a
0:45.3	frequent up-dator of your tech or do you keep your phone, your laptop, your tablet
0:51.2	for as long as humanly possible? your smartphone's life begins in mines all around the world and in these
1:00.0	minds finite minerals are extracted.
1:05.1	Those minerals then get transported to factories,
1:09.0	where they're refined, often using
1:15.0	significant energy,
1:17.0	then these minerals are turned into batteries,
1:20.0	wires, logic boards, motors, and more, all of these parts of which will become your
1:26.2	smartphone and other tech devices. These components, then they're transported
1:31.4	again to even more factories. In these factories they'll be
	...

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