- SPD wants repair aid in NRW: 50 percent from the state
Repair, not toss: The SPD opposition in North Rhine-Westphalia calls on the state government to establish a €10 million funding program to co-finance repair costs for consumers. A "Repair Bonus NRW" should cover 50% of often very high costs, proposed Alexander Vogt, deputy chairman of the SPD state parliament faction.
The subsidy should be capped at a maximum of €200. There are already examples of such programs in Saxony and Thuringia, as well as in neighboring countries France and Austria.
The "Repair Bonus NRW" ties in with a resolution passed by the European Parliament in April last year on the "right to repair." The member states have two years to introduce at least one measure to promote repairs.
50% subsidy for certain device groups
The NRW subsidy should, according to SPD plans, be able to be applied for, issued, and paid out online via a portal - also on paper for people without internet access. The 50% subsidy should cover certain device groups such as household, garden and tool, climate devices, as well as entertainment and communication electronics. Craft businesses, repair workshops, or repair cafés could then register as partner businesses on the online portal and list their repair services.
Such a program would particularly support families and multi-person households where devices are more heavily used, explained Vogt. Small and medium-sized enterprises and the environment would also benefit.
Contribution to more environmental protection
According to estimates by the EU Commission, Europe-wide savings of 18.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, 1.8 million tons of resources, and 3 million tons of waste could be achieved within 15 years through the right to repair and optimized waste cycles.
In Saxony, more than 45 tons of e-waste were saved within half a year after the introduction of the repair bonus program, reported Vogt. Moreover, participating craft businesses and repair workshops achieved a turnover increase of €2 million.
Saxony provides €1.25 million per year. The state aid can be partially refinanced through higher tax revenues due to the improved order situation of the businesses and via EU funding programs, said Vogt.
The SPD in North Rhine-Westphalia advocates for the state government to include the SPD opposition in the planning of the €10 million funding program, as they believe their input would be beneficial.
Following the success of repair bonus programs in Saxony, Thuringia, France, and Austria, the SPD proposes a 'Repair Bonus NRW' that would offer a 50% subsidy for certain device groups such as household, garden, tool, climate devices, entertainment, and communication electronics.
