Ongoing
When we look at an item in our hands, we only see the tip of the iceberg of all the resources that were needed to produce it.
The current overexploitation of resources, combined with increasingly short life cycles for many products, is unsustainable. To produce a cell phone, it takes 600 times its weight in resources!
We know that we need to make our products more durable and last longer, especially considering the current waste crisis.
Équiterre's studies on obsolescence and on access to repair point to many possible solutions. Now we need to take action!
19%
of Canadians had their appliances or electronics repaired in 2020-2021. It’s not enough.
Equiterre, 2022
“ We can no longer afford to operate in a system of production and consumption that favours low-cost replacement items over repairing existing ones. ”
Équiterre is working to make consumer practices that focus on reduction at the source, reuse, repair and sharing more accessible.
Since 2018, Équiterre has been creating awareness among governments about the importance of the reparability and durability of goods.
Several solutions exist to make our objects last longer. Access to repair is a priority action area.
Équiterre has conducted two pan-Canadian studies to create a portrait of the current situation. The first, in 2018, analyzed the reality of consumers in terms of obsolescence of household appliances and electronics.
The obsolescence report gave us the impetus to go further, by looking at access to repair. Why don't people repair anymore? Why do our appliances break so easily and what can we do about it? In 2022 Équiterre conducted a vast Canadian study to find answers to these questions.
One of the study's key recommendations was to introduce a durability index, to encourage manufacturers to make more durable goods and to make it easier for consumers to make informed purchase decisions. Our new report looks at the benefits of a durability index, and how it could be implemented in Canada..
Équiterre publishes a report on the implementation of a durability index, which would provide important information to consumers on the durability of products, enabling them to make more informed purchase decisions.
Équiterre submits its brief to the right to repair consultations in Canada, in order to defend equitable access to repair across the country.
An essential step in defining a legislative framework that promotes access to repairing our objects.
Our aim is to ensure a bill that will change Quebec's right to reparation for the better.
A long-awaited bill is finally announced!
14,377 signatures on a petition calling for durable and repairable goods
Publication of the first Canadian study on access to repair for appliances and electronics, including a portrait of the situation in Quebec.
Passage in principle of Bill 197: An Act to amend the Consumer Protection Act to fight planned obsolescence and assert the right to repair goods.
Équiterre members and supporters are mobilized to demand that the Quebec Consumer Protection Act be modernized to include the durability and reparability of goods.
Équiterre participates in the Office de la protection du consommateur's public consultation on the durability and reparability of goods.
Publication of the first Canada-wide study on obsolescence of electronics and electrical appliances.
“ I founded Touski s'répare in 2016 to facilitate the repair of everyday products. Today the community encompasses tens of thousands of followers, and I've transferred its management to Équiterre to ensure its future, its relevance and that is maintains to the community’s values. ”
“ Équiterre is undertaking ambitious interdisciplinary research projects to offer a clear yet nuanced look at the complex issues surrounding obsolescence and repair of electronics and electrical appliances. The organization is playing a pivotal role in the transfer of scientific knowledge to the public and to political officials. ”
“ Équiterre’s work on the issues of obsolescence and access to repair provides a lot of insight. Through its ability to monitor, analyze and synthesize information on these topics, Équiterre is helping our business position itself in the public debate. By mobilizing organizations active in reuse, Équiterre is leveraging collective action. Thank you! ”
acote@equiterre.org
jdenoncourt@equiterre.org
