Support for funding - Nationwide repair incentive for Stengele
Germany's Environment Minister in Thuringia, Bernhard Stengele from the Greens, is promoting a nationwide state incentive for mending appliances in the future. Such a repair incentive, preserved in Thuringia, can support the new right to repair, Stengele shared with the German Press Agency in Erfurt. Thuringia presented a proposal during the Environment Ministers' Conference with the Federation and the States, which concluded on Friday in Bad Durkheim.
Since EU countries recently agreed on a right to repair, Germany must implement it within two years at the latest. "The sooner, the better," said Stengele. Thuringia has observed positive results with the repair bonus - a state subsidy for fixing electrical appliances, consequently, they don't end up in the landfill.
However, challenging has been the price contrast between repair and buying various devices. "Both the repair bonus and the right to repair can help with this," the Green politician elaborated.
At the Environment Ministers' Conference, Thuringia's proposal will gain the support of Saxony, as indicated by the ministry. It requests the federal government to explore the opportunities for facilitating the right to repair through the introduction of a nationwide repair incentive or similar measures.
The Thuringian model has been practiced since 2021 and offers a 50% reimbursement of the repair cost, up to 100 euros per year. The model has funded over 30,000 repairs until the end of 2023. Fraunhofer Institute's calculations show that the avoided electronic waste totals 400 tons.
