Stakeholders, drivers and barriers for local electronics repair: a case study of southern Sweden

Promoting repair of electronics is an important strategy to slow material loops, particularly of critical raw materials, as part of a transition to a circular economy. This contribution accounts for a case study of southern Sweden conducted in order to examine drivers and barriers for repairing electronics, as well as better understand the roles of different stakeholders. Repair activities in the region were mapped, including professional for-profit repair activities as well as private and public non-profit activities. Structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders representing professional repairers (8), municipal actors (7), second-hand stores (6), and electronics-specific non-profit community repair organisations (2). The organizational structure of repair organisations and the how municipalities currently support repair organizations were also analysed. A survey of consumers was conducted to gauge their attitude towards extending the lifespan and engage with repair activities. The findings indicate that most people surveyed were positive towards repair activities. The professional repairers consider growing consumer awareness as the main driver for increasing repairs, but there remain many barriers. Community driven activities are still in early development and dependent on collaboration with municipal actors. Municipalities emerged as key actors in community repair initiatives, with different municipal departments either initiating, promoting, or supporting repair activities.