Give Your Items a Second Life with Repair

When you choose to repair an item instead of replacing it or recycling it, you play a crucial role in promoting a circular economy. The linear economy is a model of "take-make-waste" that focuses on consumerism and aims for profitability, while the circular economy is a regenerative model that calls for sustainability.  

• Learn more about the circular economy and the role repair will play with the New York State Solid Waste Management Plan 

Opting to repair instead of replacing an item can save money and allows you to get more value out of your purchase. You can you maximize your original purchase and can support an industry that creates jobs for skilled technicians in your local community by: 

• Learning to repair the items you own 
• Choosing to go to a local repair shop for repair services 
• Purchasing electronics designed with repair potential 
• Find your electronics repair potential using IFixit’s repairability score 

Repair initiatives like repair cafes bring communities together through engagement and skill-sharing. They promote a sustainable approach to fixing everyday items and provide an opportunity to learn new skills and share expertise on repairs with like-minded individuals.  

• Repair initiatives in your community help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing new products. Having a repair program is an example of one action a community can undertake on its way to becoming a certified Climate Smart Community. 

A repair cafe is a community-driven initiative where skilled volunteers provide guidance and expertise to help other community members repair their damaged objects. These events promote resourcefulness and prevent the disposal of items that still have value, so they do not end up as waste. The skills shared can be related to repairing clothing, electronics, appliances, and furniture.  

At repair cafes, you can bring anything broken that you can carry on your own and chances are it can be fixed. These items that can be fixed range from small electronic appliances, to clothing, bikes, toys, and more. If you want to find out if a repair specialist for a particular item will be there the day you are, make sure to contact your local repair cafe ahead of time. 

Learn how to start your own Repair Cafe in your community organization. 

A tool library is a community library where people can borrow tools for tasks and projects that they might not have been able to do otherwise. These tools are typically acquired through donations or community membership. Tool libraries promote affordability and sustainability and enable community members to take on DIY projects. 

Find a tool lending library using Local Tools. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and you may need to do more research for tool libraries in your area. 

If you are located in the Buffalo area, check out the Buffalo Tool Library.

Effective July 1, 2023, the New York Digital Fair Repair Act (N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law 399-nn (2022)) simplifies the process for consumers to get their electronic devices repaired at independent shops or to perform repairs themselves at home. This new law grants consumers the freedom to fix their own devices and enables independent repair shops to compete with lower prices. Manufacturers operating in New York are now required to make certain documents, tools, and parts easily accessible. Previously, limited access to these components resulted in limited repair options, which led to higher prices and longer wait times. The N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 399-nn (2022) ensures that the tools necessary to repair specific digital electronic equipment are made available. This law applies to digital electronic equipment made or sold in New York State after July 1, 2023. Businesses that fail to adhere to the new regulations may be subject to civil penalties.  

Under the Repair Act, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is tasked with enforcing the new law and is authorized to investigate potential violations and take action when appropriate. Anyone who has reason to believe the Repair Act is being violated can file a complaint with OAG’s Consumer Frauds Bureau.