Right to Repair

What is Right to Repair and why should it matter to you?

For a clear example of why we need the Right to Repair, look no further than John Deere.

John Deere's iconic tractors are vital tools for many American farmers, but the company insists on keeping some of the tools and knowledge needed to fix the tractors proprietary.

That means that if a tractor breaks down, farmers might need to lug it all the way to the nearest John Deere repair service, losing days of work.

That's why the Federal Trade Commission is suing John Deere to allow farmers to fix their own tractors.1

But Right to Repair doesn't just help farmers. Here are three ways that the Right to Repair can benefit everyone, regardless of income or lifestyle.

Right to Repair helps the environment by reducing waste. Take smartphones, for example. Creating a single smartphone uses up to 70 types of metals, the mining of which takes a toll on the land, water and air.2 If you can fix your electronics and extend their lifespan, that means fewer of our miraculous miniature supercomputers being tossed out in the trash.

In our modern world, people often depend upon devices such as generators, cars and phones. In case of emergency, people need the tools to repair such devices. It's only common sense, especially as violent weather makes our lives ever more unpredictable.

The Right to Repair can also help consumers avoid wasting money. When customers have the option to extend their devices, it often means that they can get off the treadmill of buying a new phone every year.

Even refurbished devices can offer similar quality to new electronics at half the price.3 That means you can save your money for things that really matter to you, instead of shiny new tech.

At the end of the day, Right to Repair is about reminding people how we used to see our belongings. Electronics shouldn't be seen the same as tissues or single-use razors. They should be designed to last and easy to fix when necessary.

When people have the tools to understand how their possessions work, how to fix them and how to cherish them for years, we'll all be better off.

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

PS: You can help spread the Right to Repair with a donation. Will you contribute today?

1. "STATEMENT: FTC investigates John Deere for restricting repair," PIRG, October 17, 2024.
2. Brian Rohrig, "Smartphones: Smart Chemistry," American Chemical Society, April/May 2015.
3. Lucas Gutterman, Stephanie Markowitz, Andre Delattre, "Fixed for the holidays," PIRG, November 14, 2024.

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