Getting Started
Maintaining your appliances
Your smartphone, TV and other appliances contain an array of precious metals and materials, yet waste electrical and electronic goods are the fastest growing waste stream globally. Here's how looking after our stuff saves money and resources in the long run.
Good for you
Irish households spend over €1,200 annually on electronics and appliances. But families who buy quality and maintain what they own spend 40% less over 5 years. That's nearly €500 annually saved by making things last longer.
Good for the planet
Ireland generates 64,000 tonnes of electronic waste annually. Mining materials for one smartphone generates 55-75kg of CO2 and uses 13,000 liters of water. By ensuring your electronics live their fullest life through care and maintenance, you can cut their environmental impact by 40-60%. A care and repair-first mindset prevents rare earth mining, reduces manufacturing emissions, and keeps precious materials in circulation.
If everyone kept their phones going for 10 years we could eliminate 21.6 million tons of CO2 per year
Tips for extending product life
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Get repair quotes before replacing
When something breaks, get a repair estimate before assuming it's dead. Often a €50 repair saves a €500 replacement - battery changes, screen fixes and cleaning can add years to device life.
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The upgrade question
Ask: "What does the new one do that mine can't?" Often the answer is "not much." If your current device meets your needs, keeping it running is almost always cheaper than upgrading.
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Know your repair rights
Check out Right to Repair Europe for information on repair policy & measures at EU level that support your right to fix what you own.
Repair guides and communities
Join the 77% of Europeans who would rather repair than buy new with these communities, guides and services.
- RepairMyStuff.ie A national directory of repair services. Be sure to filter my location and type of repair you need.
- IFixIt A thriving online community where you can find step-by-step instructions on repairing a vast amount of devices and equipment.
- Repair Cafes Bring your broken products to a volunteer run Repair Cafe near you. Find a map of repair cafes here
- Tog Hackerspace Join activities and community events helping build hardware and software repair and maintenance skills.
Tips for maintaining your products
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Follow care instructions
Those "store in a cool, dry place" instructions aren't suggestions - they're essential for electronics longevity. Check manuals for maintenance tips and keep devices clean, dry and away from extreme temperatures.
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Daily habits that save hundreds
Use protective cases, charge mindfully (not overnight, not from empty to 100% constantly), and handle devices gently. Simple daily care prevents most common damage.
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Research repairability before buying
Some brands design for repair, others for replacement. Look for longer warranties, replaceable parts (batteries, screens), standard connections (USB-C over proprietary) and software update commitments. Check iFixIt for repair guides and parts availability.
If everyone in Europe extended the lifetime of their devices by just one year, we would save around 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030
