The big fix Project to look at our attitude to repairing

From fancy toys to smartphones , when technology breaks it often seems simplest to ditch old products for new models. But now experts hope to challenge the status quo, launching a citizen science project to explore attitudes to repair, and pinpoint parts of the UK where the mending mindset is thriving.

Nicola Davis

The Big Repair Project comes in the wake of campaigns to reduce the vast quantities of electrical and electronic waste produced each year, as well as the environmental impact of new products, by ensuring that consumers can fix broken or damaged items – a rarity in the consumer world.

“It got to the point where most products ended up being put on to the market with no real viable route to repair,” said Prof Mark Miodownik of University College London, who is leading the project.

Last year, new laws were passed in the UK around the “right to repair”, meaning spare parts must now be made available for a number of household items including washing machines and TVs, and stay available for up to 10 years, depending on the part.

Meanwhile, companies including Microsoft and Apple have recently announced moves to allow consumers to repair their tech.