The circular economy is one of the most important directions for a sustainable future.
At the heart of this model is the idea of using products for as long as possible – through reuse, repair, and only as a last resort, recycling.
When it comes to electrical and electronic equipment, every decision to discard an appliance should be preceded by two simple questions:
1. Is it functional? If so, you can donate it to someone in need.
2. It's not working anymore? Maybe there is still a possibility of it being repaired.
Why repair and not replace?
Repairing electrical equipment is not only a practical solution, but also one with multiple benefits:
- Lower costs – repair is often cheaper than purchasing a new product, which can involve a significant investment from the family budget.
- Environmental protection – each repaired device means less electrical waste (WEEE) and fewer natural resources extracted to manufacture new products.
Repair or preparation for reuse? Two sides of the same solution
An essential aspect is to distinguish between reparation and preparation for reuse (often called “refurbishment”). Both processes aim to extend the life of equipment, but are applied at different points in their life cycle. The repair means interventions on a product that is still functional or that has broken down but has not reached the waste stage – these operations are carried out in specialized workshops or services and are aimed at extending the use of the device by the owner. In return, preparation for reuse is a treatment operation applied to equipment that has already entered the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) stream. Through inspection, cleaning, testing and eventual repair, this equipment is given a "second life" and can be reintroduced into the circuit as functional products.
What does European legislation say?
The European Union actively supports the idea of reparation and adopted several measures in this regard in 2024:
The Right to Repair Directive (adopted in 2024) – obliges manufacturers to repair certain products even after the legal warranty has expired. It provides access to spare parts, diagnostic tools and technical information needed by repairers.
ESPR Regulation (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products) – introduces requirements regarding durability, reparability, recyclability and imposes a digital passport for marketed products.
What are other European countries doing?
Several EU Member States already have concrete initiatives encouraging repair:
Franta – Anti-waste law for a circular economy (AGEC)
Adopted in 2020 and gradually implemented from 2021, this law is one of the most ambitious in Europe in the field of circular economy. Among its measures:
Responsible public procurement – from 2021, public institutions in France are required to purchase goods from the preparation for reuse flow or containing recycled materials, in varying proportions depending on the type of product.
Repairability index – displayed on many electronic products (smartphones, laptops, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, etc.), this score from 1 to 10 shows how easily the product can be repaired.
Repair bonus – available from 2022 for electrical, electronic equipment, textiles and footwear, it covers part of the cost of the repair, being deducted directly from the invoice paid by the consumer to an authorized repairer.
Sustainability index – introduced in 2025 for televisions and washing machines, complements the repairability index and aims to reflect the actual lifespan of the product.
The Netherlands actively supports "repair cafés" – community spaces where citizens learn to repair objects alongside volunteers.
Germany offers subsidies for repair shops, to make them more accessible to the general public.
What is happening in Romania?
Romania has until July 2026 to implement European Directive on the Right to RepairUntil then, there are already initiatives in the related field of preparation for reuse, which contribute to reducing waste and supporting vulnerable communities.
An example is the program "Enter the circle of solidarity!, a national campaign to collect and refurbish IT equipment, run by the organizations ECOTIC and Ateliere Fără Frontiere. The goal? Donating refurbished computers to schools.
“The national campaign “Enter the Circle of SolidarITation” gave us the opportunity to showcase our expertise in refurbishing IT equipment, but especially to create real bridges between the economic environment and vulnerable communities. Through our direct involvement, hundreds of computers, which would otherwise have become waste, were transformed into tools for education and digital inclusion. We ensured not only the refurbishing process, but also the secure deletion of data, providing partners with trust and transparency. For us, this campaign is not just about collection and recycling – it means solidarity, circular economy and a fairer future.” Florin Niculae, Development Director, Ateliere Fără Frontiere
“Reuse is one of the most valuable forms of responsibility towards the environment, but also towards people. Through the partnership between ECOTIC and Ateliere Fâră Frontiere, I had the opportunity to see how electronic equipment gets a second life, becoming precious resources for digital education and for reducing social gaps. The fact that over 32.000 IT equipment was prepared for reuse and donated to disadvantaged communities in Romania demonstrates the real impact we can have when we put sustainability and solidarity at the center of our actions. I strongly believe that this model must be continued and multiplied, in order to build a greener and fairer future together.” Sabina Pîrvulescu, ECOTIC Operational Director
Repairing electrical equipment is a simple gesture, but with major effects – for your personal budget, for the environment and for society. Every appliance saved from the landfill means a saved resource, a supported community and a concrete step towards a real circular economy.
