Stimulating repairs on small household appliances among Dutch citizens
R.J. Beekmans (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Ruth Mugge – Mentor (TU Delft - Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior)
S.S. van Dam – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)
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Abstract
Small household appliances (SHA) are a major part of e-waste, yet many repairable devices still get discarded. This study looks at why consumers—especially 18-34-year-olds with higher education—aren’t repairing their stuff. Using Social Practice Theory (SPT), it breaks repair down into three parts: images (social norms and emotions), stuff (tools, product design, and spare parts), and skills (repair know-how).
Research shows that while many people are willing to repair, they see it as too hard, time-consuming, or simply not worth it. They lack the right tools, struggle with fault diagnosis, and don’t know where to start. Manufacturers set consumers at a disadvantage, making repairs harder with proprietary parts and poor access to manuals.
To address these issues, a design intervention was developed that seeks to lower psychological and practical barriers to repair. This intervention includes a service model that provides structured fault diagnosis strategies, essential tools, and guidance to consumers. The goal is to make repair more accessible, engaging, and socially accepted within the target demographic. The proposed solution was evaluated based on feasibility, user acceptance, and potential impact on repair behavior. Results suggest that interventions combining practical support with social reinforcement can significantly increase repair engagement.
This research contributes to the broader discussion on sustainable consumer behavior and circular economy principles by demonstrating how design strategies can influence repair propensity. Future studies could further explore policy implications, industry cooperation, and scalable interventions to enhance consumer participation in repair practices.