From mobile phones to vacuum cleaners, repair businesses in three London boroughs are offering 50% off professional repairs thanks to the UK’s first electrical repair voucher scheme.
Local businesses in Hackney, Haringey and Waltham Forest will accept discount vouchers from 1 April, which are being funded by North London Waste Authority and delivered in partnership by The Restart Project, ReLondon and FixFirst.
North London residents can apply for a voucher online and will receive a QR code to use at participating high street repair businesses. Customers receive their discount of 50% (up to £50) at payment and the businesses claim back the cost.
Fiona Dear, Co-Director at The Restart Project said:
"Repair is hugely popular, but cost is one of the main reasons that people don't fix their electricals, so we're delighted to be trialling the first electrical repair voucher scheme in the UK. The trial will directly reduce repair costs for Londoners, encourage more people to try out repair, and support north London's repair businesses. We look forward to seeing the impact of the trial and making the case for further, longer-term schemes in the UK."
A recent Suez report found that if every UK household reused or repaired just two extra items a year, it would keep 23 million more items in use, generating £1.6 billion for local economies and creating 74,200 skilled jobs.
Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE, Chair of North London Waste Authority said:
“We are thrilled to be funding this pioneering scheme, a first of its kind in the UK, as part of the North London Community Fund. Since 2017 we've awarded almost £1 million to 81 projects aiming to change the landscape of waste and recycling in north London.
“Offering people discount vouchers is a fantastic way to make repair affordable and attractive and support the move towards a circular economy. This initiative has great potential – not only to normalise getting everyday items fixed instead of replaced, but also to give us the evidence we need on whether discounted repair services can keep things in use for longer.
“We hope to share our evaluation with others, as we attempt to shift the dial on repair, making it a critical part of everyday household waste prevention and the emerging circular economy."
Vouchers are expected to sell out quickly each month, as there is already high demand for the first month. A new release each month will ensure that residents get more chances to sign up even if they miss the early voucher releases.
Repair vouchers can help to kickstart repair economies. A recent trial in Austria found that vouchers got more people into the habit of repair: 80% of repair businesses noticed increases in the number of repairs during the trial, and more people than usual continued to bring their items for repair once it had ended.
Karin Huber-Heim, director of Circular Economy Forum Austria, said:
“Repair vouchers have helped us to establish a thriving repair industry that is proving it can last long after the voucher scheme has ended. It has made it viable for many people to try repair for the first time and then continue to get things fixed, bringing new customers to businesses offering repair services.”
In 2023, Londoners binned £1.9 billion of repairable electricals – an average of £250 per person. Not only does that mean money down the drain, but this waste is costing the planet too – in fact, electronic waste generates around 540,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, equivalent to 108 Big Bens.
The voucher scheme officially launched today with the opening event taking place at Neil Electrics in Wood Green, attended by Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy and Chair of ReLondon, and Fiona Dear, Co-Director of the Restart Project, among others.
Residents can apply for a voucher at www.londonrepairvouchers.co.uk
