France has just introduced a “repair bonus” for electronic devices to extend the life of devices and reduce waste. Should Quebec do the same?
Posted at 6:00 am
Since mid-December, the French have been able to benefit from a “bonus” if they have their electronic devices repaired. The sums range from 10 euros for a kettle or toaster to 45 euros for a computer.
Around 30 device types are currently eligible, and a six-year repair fund endowed with 410 million euros (around 489 million CAN) is being created as part of an “anti-waste law for a circular economy”. More will be added in 2024 and 2025.
Funding for this measure is provided by manufacturers through environmental organizations responsible for end-of-life management of devices.
French consumers can therefore contact one of the top 500 authorized repairers and benefit from a fixed discount on their broken drone or hood. The number of authorized workshops will be gradually expanded: 1,500 are expected by 2023 and 10,000 by 2027.
A good lever
An estimated 10 million repairs are carried out each year in France, where around 1.5 billion electrical and electronic devices are in circulation. The aim is to increase this repair volume by 20%.
“It’s really a good lever,” says Sophie Bernard, a professor at Polytechnique Montréal and a specialist in circular economy. “Should Quebec have something like this? Absolutely,” she says.
“Our system is currently very little designed for repairs,” regrets Professor Sophie Bernard. According to her, it is necessary to recognize the magnitude of the problem and adapt accordingly.
A study by Équiterre on access to repairs in Canada, released in October, suggests that less than 19% of Canada’s population has their broken appliances and electronics repaired, a rate rising to 25% in Quebec.
“The production of these products is very resource-intensive and their short lifespan is problematic,” says Équiterre. Their repair makes it possible to extend their lifespan, thus limiting the environmental and socio-economic impact related to their manufacture. »
Barriers to repair for consumers identified by Équiterre include the perception that the products are irreparable and the cost of repairs. Quebec garages want better access to parts and manuals for the equipment they repair, in addition to financial incentives to encourage consumer choice.
According to Julian Guzman, co-owner of Flash Repair in Montreal, it’s the lack of information and prohibitive costs that keep people from getting their devices repaired more often. “If France creates this incentive measure to help people, it will definitely help,” he said.
The mechanic says the vast majority of devices can be repaired, but people aren’t always aware of this. Or maybe they prefer to buy new because of the ubiquitous sales during the holiday season.
better inform consumers
In addition to the “repair bonus”, France is gradually introducing a “repairability index” for certain devices to help consumers make purchasing decisions.
“It’s a powerful tool because it sends signals to everyone,” says Sophie Bernard. On the one hand, the consumer can make a more informed choice, and on the other hand, the manufacturer has a potentially monetizable incentive to improve the repairability of their products.
In the course of its study, Équiterre rightly recommends facilitating the use of repairs in Quebec, in particular through “eco-fiscal measures” and the establishment of a “sustainability index”.
When asked if Quebec intends to follow in France’s footsteps, Environment Minister Benoit Charette’s cabinet simply replied that the issue “will be examined in due course”. The process will be carried out “in consultation with our partners, including Recyc-Québec”, specifies its spokesperson Mélina Jalbert.
For its part, Recyc-Québec says it has been “actively following the repair file for a number of years”. “We will be happy to work with the various ministries and organizations” if a regulatory or legislative initiative in this direction should germinate, said spokeswoman Véronique Boulanger.
With Agence France-Presse