General Discussion

MadameButterfly

(3,772 posts)

37. This is bigger than repairs

Tue Jan 13, 2026, 08:03 PM

Tuesday

What are we making things out of and can they be recycled? I want to know if your heater can be broken apart and melted down for re-use, or if it's going into a landfill.

More and more is being made out of plastic which (mostly) isn't recyclable. If something is hard to repair most people won't, even if it's possible: their time is more valuable than the cost of replacement.

We need enough competition that people can choose products that are repairable and that last.
Companies that produce junk that can't be recycled need to be made responsible for the cost of the waste. That's the only way it becomes worth it for them to do better.

It's an emergency and we've barely even begun.

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Asking for DUers opinion on "Right to Repair" Do you think it is an important issue? [View all] Coventina Tuesday OP

It started with farmers spending $$$$$$ on tractors/combines with no ability to repair hlthe2b Tuesday #1

Speaking of Amazon, I recently needed a skin graph after my MOHs surgery. Dr. ordered it from Amazon. Who knew! SheilaAnn Tuesday #3

Well, they want to sell everything... hlthe2b Tuesday #8

I thought she was kidding at first but voila. $8,000 worth. She said they do have an extensive medical dept. n/t SheilaAnn Tuesday #12

Amazon has its own online pharmacy. ananda Tuesday #24

What's preventing repair of this item? bucolic_frolic Tuesday #2

There is no way for me to disassemble the heater to access the area Coventina Tuesday #7

Oh, now I see where you're coming from bucolic_frolic Tuesday #14

I think that's called a "tip switch", because it triggers when the device tips over. surrealAmerican Tuesday #4

Point taken. But I also feel that "planned obsolescence" is a major problem as well. Coventina Tuesday #10

Absolutely! SheltieLover Tuesday #5

Having the legal right to repair is not the same as having stuff that is possible to repair. Intractable Tuesday #6

I understand and agree. I guess I was envisioning a return to a time (haha!) Coventina Tuesday #11

Automation and cheap Asian labor has made it cheaper to replace than to repair. eppur_se_muova Tuesday #20

Repair shops and repair people remain common in low-income areas Prairie Gates Yesterday #42

I think it's an extremely important issue canetoad Tuesday #9

Pollution and waste is corporate design. Blue Full Moon Tuesday #13

Ask any farmer that owns a large piece of equipment made by John Deere A HERETIC I AM Tuesday #15

Right to ForgedCrank Tuesday #16

"The goal is that you will own nothing and like it." Jedi Guy Tuesday #35

Any device that is held together with screws can be opened. :) eppur_se_muova Tuesday #17

As "A HERETIC I AM" posted earlier, John Deere is the poster child for walkingman Tuesday #18

Have you heard of the black market for John Deere software? A HERETIC I AM Tuesday #30

Frequently screws are hidden under decals. Prairie_Seagull Tuesday #19

"Removing sticker violates warranty" is old hat on hard drives and other computer components. eppur_se_muova Tuesday #22

BMW has applied for a patent on a proprietary screw, so only their dealers and servicemen can repair your car. eppur_se_muova Tuesday #21

YES, I think it's important Raine Tuesday #23

"Right to Repair" doesn't mean it has to be easy to repair or that all parts have to be made available MichMan Tuesday #25

The issue here is DRM as well Oneironaut 22 hrs ago #44

If you own a John Deere product it sure is. It needs to be stopped now before more of us with other products get stuck. marble falls Tuesday #26

yes. i need to be able to fix it myself rampartd Tuesday #27

"Right to repair" is extremely important, but your issue is not one of right to repair. NT. mahatmakanejeeves Tuesday #28

While it's not a burning priority for most of us right now. . . DinahMoeHum Tuesday #29

Trinket rich but equity poor. CrispyQ Tuesday #31

Don't get me started about cars Wednesdays Tuesday #32

Yes! Tasmanian Devil Tuesday #33

See if you can find a exact model cheap, that doesn't work, but you can pull parts off of it. n/t aggiesal Tuesday #34

I believe in a right to repair kbowman Tuesday #36

This is bigger than repairs MadameButterfly Tuesday #37

Not me. ForgedCrank Tuesday #39

Everything shouldn't be computerized and high tech MadameButterfly Yesterday #41

products made and not quality maliaSmith Tuesday #38

We have an appliance repair guy who keeps telling us MadameButterfly Yesterday #43

He is 100% correct. Newer models are for energy efficiency, not durability or even serviceability dalton99a 22 hrs ago #45

i wonder if they are even saving energy if you consider MadameButterfly 22 hrs ago #47

What really annoys me... CaptainTruth Tuesday #40

YES rictofen 13 hrs ago #48

That ship sailed a long time ago with American businesses. GoodRaisin 22 hrs ago #46