Difficult economic times mean that an increasing number of people are recycling or mending broken appliances rather than throwing them away. This move is also good for the environment, and the UK government has advised that if a quarter of discarded electrical and electronic equipment was recycled we could save £200 million a year.
Repair and recycle and save money
Almost every device in your home can be repaired. If your washing machine breaks down, don’t throw it away, inspect the damage inside by using a snake camera, it could be repairable. You’ll only be increasing the UK’s already crowded landfill sites and replacing this item can be very expensive.
If you feel confident to inspect your washing machine yourself, then take a look at this helpful article that advises you how to remedy certain common problems. You may soon realise that you don’t have to call out a repair service and can manage the problem on your own.
Repairing goods in uncertain economic times
In previous decades, consumers were accustomed to throwing away redundant household items in what was deemed a ‘disposable world’. Credit was easily obtainable and it became fashionable for families to constantly upgrade their possessions to the latest models.
However, the economic crash of 2008 and its fallout meant that many families could no longer afford to buy the biggest and best products and had to make do with what they had. Also read Which is Superior a Front-Loader or Top-Loader?
If a device needed repairing, the family could try to mend it at home or they could find cheap appliance repair st albert and ask them to come and mend their broken goods instead of shelling out for a brand new item.
Do not be deterred by manufacturers
Most manufacturers would prefer you to try and take out some form of credit or save up and buy a new household appliance rather than repair a broken machine.
A BBC article claimed that certain manufacturers make it difficult for independent tradespeople to service some products – especially if the appliance is out of warranty and has broken down.
They wrote that “this may mean that if you want your appliance repaired, you have to go through the manufacturers’ own repair team, something that could be much more expensive than an independent repairer”.
It’s always cheaper to try and repair a product yourself or try to employ a reputable local washer and dryer repair service.
It makes economic sense to repair damaged goods
In January 2014, the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor David McKay, warned that the improvements in the UK’s economic health weren’t necessarily good for the environment.
He estimated that “reusing appliances and furniture could save families £1 billion a year” and also stated that he wishes people would get used to the idea of reusing parts from appliances instead of dumping electricals and buying brand new appliances.
The UK population would also use considerably less energy if new products were designed to last. New appliances are designed to be more energy efficient so if they’re built to last then it’ll translate to considerable benefits for consumers and the environment alike.