Repair and Durability
Repair and Durability is a practical stewardship topic: keep useful devices in service, reduce preventable failure, protect data before disposal, and send end-of-life equipment to responsible channels.
Durability checklist
- Update software when updates are still supported and reduce known security risk.
- Replace worn batteries through safe and reputable channels.
- Keep heat, dust, swelling batteries, and moisture away from electronics.
- Use protective cases, surge protection, backups, and basic cleaning before failure.
- Prefer devices with available parts, documentation, and repair options.
Responsible retirement
- Back up and erase personal data before donation or recycling.
- Remove batteries when guidance says they must be handled separately.
- Do not put lithium-ion batteries or devices with damaged batteries in household trash.
- Use certified recyclers where available.
Why right to repair matters
Right to repair affects downtime, cost, independent repair businesses, rural access, education, and waste. The FTC has warned against illegal repair restrictions, and EPA guidance encourages donation, upgrade, reuse, and proper recycling where possible.