When something breaks, the immediate question arises: "Do I repair it or replace it?"
Usually, the first reaction is to rush and “end it here” with a new purchase.
However, if the goal is to choose sustainably, in most cases repairing remains the better option because it avoids waste, reduces the demand for raw materials, and maximizes the environmental impact already "paid" during production and transport.
In terms of repair, however, the useful question to ask is not just "how much does it cost to repair," but "when is it worthwhile to repair" or "how much useful life do I get for this item if I repair it?"
This means that repairing is not always the best answer.
There are, in fact, exceptions to repair, especially when safety, unobtainable spare parts, software updates, or an object at the end of its lifecycle come into play.
Why repairing is almost always the most sustainable choice
Repairing is almost always the most sustainable choice for three very concrete reasons.
The first is that an item you own has already generated emissions and consumed resources to be produced.
If you replace it soon, that "environmental cost" is amortized over a short period of time.
If, however, you repair it and use it for a longer time, you are increasing the efficiency of its lifecycle, which means fewer new products need to be manufactured to provide the same service.
The second reason is that preventing waste is better than managing it.
Even with separate collection and recycling, some material is lost and its recovery requires high costs in terms of energy and transport.
Keeping an item in use is often the most effective way to reduce its impact.
The third, valid for the European Union, is that European rules are making repair increasingly "normal."
The European Commission has issued the Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods, adopted on June 13, 2024, and coming into force on July 30, 2024; member states must transpose and apply it by July 31, 2026.
This context also helps culturally: repairing is therefore not a niche gesture, but increasingly at the heart of more conscious consumption.
The 4 Questions That Prevent Unnecessary Purchases
Before deciding whether to repair or replace, let's ask ourselves four simple questions that truly change the quality of our decision.
The first question concerns safety.
When dealing with electrical objects or heating devices (hairdryers, toasters, irons, etc.), signs like a burnt smell, sparks, damaged cables, or unusual overheating should not be "tolerated."
In these cases, repairing makes sense only if the intervention is professional and definitive; otherwise, replacing is the most responsible choice.
The second question is whether the legal warranty is still valid.
In Italy, for example, the legal warranty for new goods lasts two years from delivery and, in case of non-conformity, the consumer may initially request a repair or replacement under Directive (EU) 2019/771.
Translated: if you are within the time limit, it's always better to go through the seller before paying for a technician.
The third question is whether spare parts and support are available.
If a part is easily obtainable (zipper slider, trolley wheels, gasket, filter), repairing often becomes the most logical choice.
However, if the spare part does not exist, arrives after months, or costs almost as much as the product, then replacement might make sense.
The fourth question is how long the item will really last after the repair.
If you are repairing an isolated defect on an item in good condition, you can gain years.
However, if the item shows widespread wear (degraded materials, seams giving way at multiple points, cracked casing), the repair risks being only a temporary fix.
Repair vs Replace: How to Decide Without Going on Instinct
To really make this topic sound like a comparison, we will use a clear criterion.
Repair wins when the problem is localized and the base of the item is sound.
It depends wins when factors such as safety, availability of spare parts, or software support come into play.
Replace wins when the repair is unsafe, not long-lasting, or disproportionate compared to the result.
Now let's apply this framework to everyday objects with some examples.
Stuck or Broken Zipper
Here, almost always, repairing wins.
Replacing a zipper or slider can breathe new life into a garment for a long time, especially if we're talking about technical jackets, coats, or down jackets in good condition.
The repair is targeted, the garment retains its value, and the added longevity is real.
Replacing might make more sense only when the zipper is just the tip of the iceberg: fabric worn everywhere, lining destroyed, seams giving way in multiple areas.
In that case, you repair one spot, but the rest of the garment is already in "widespread end of life."
Torn Jeans
Here too, usually, repairing wins.
An internal darn or well-executed patch is not just aesthetic: it reinforces and prevents fraying, stopping the tear from widening.
This is a perfect example of a repair that truly extends the life of the product.
Replacing becomes more sensible when the denim is thinned out generally, typically in the inner thigh area or on the pockets: in that case, repairing one spot does not prevent new tears from occurring.
Worn Shoes
If the shoe is built to last and the upper is healthy, repairing wins.
Soles and heels are consumable parts: redoing them can turn a "finished" shoe into a stable and comfortable one for much longer.
Replacing wins when the internal materials are compromised or the structure no longer holds: if the midsole is degraded, if the shoe deforms or loses support, an external repair risks not restoring comfort and safety when walking.
Wobbly Trolley
In many cases, repairing wins, because the typical faults are replaceable components: worn wheels, broken handle, zippers.
If the shell is intact, the repair is often definitive and the gain in years is real.
Replacing wins, however, when the hard shell is cracked or the frame is deformed: even with new wheels, there remains a weak point that might fail during a trip.
Hair Dryer Overheating
This is a classic case where it often depends.
If the problem is localized (cable, contact, switch) and the intervention is professional, repairing can make sense.
However, replacing wins if there are signs of risk like a burnt smell or abnormal overheating.
In these cases, the most sustainable choice is the one that avoids dangers and repeated malfunctions.
Toast that won't pop up
Often here, repairing is the winning choice because generally, no true repair is needed, just maintenance: accumulated crumbs, a tray to clean, a jammed mechanism.
Fixing without buying new is obviously the best possible outcome, both in terms of environmental impact and cost.
However, replacing is the better option if problems related to heat and internal components arise: persistent odors, deformations, malfunctions that seem electrical.
With heating devices, prolonging life makes sense only if done safely.
Slow smartphone: new battery or new phone
Here the most honest answer is it depends. If the smartphone is still supported and the issue is the battery or screen, repairing can extend its life for years and reduce e-waste.
However, replacing might make more sense when security updates are no longer supported or if faults are multiple and costly.
Today, concrete help also comes from new EU regulations: eco-design requirements and the energy label for smartphones and tablets apply to products placed on the EU market from June 20, 2025.
Moreover, the JRC explains that the new label includes a repairability score from A (most repairable) to E (least repairable), designed to guide more sustainable choices.
Washing machines and dishwashers
For large appliances, often repairing is the winning choice when the fault involves replaceable components and the appliance is structurally sound.
For dishwashers, for example, the European Commission indicates that some parts (such as hinges, seals, spray arms, filters, and baskets) must remain available for a long time and that there are also delivery obligations within defined times.
The logic is clear: if the parts are available and the intervention is targeted, the repair often yields great results in terms of years gained.
Replacing can become more sustainable when the repair is disproportionately expensive and unreliable, or when the appliance is at the end of its structural life and a costly intervention does not change the likelihood of new faults in the near future.
Here, one should not be guided by the "chronological" age of the appliance, but by the quality of the estimate and the diagnosis, asking whether it's just postponing an inevitable replacement by a few months.
The 60-Second Anti-Waste Checklist
If you want a mental shortcut that works, here it is: repair when the intervention is targeted and grants real longevity, replace when the repair is risky or only temporary.
So, before you open an online shopping cart, check three things:
- check the legal warranty because you might be entitled to a free repair or replacement.
- look for available spare parts and service, and whether they can be delivered in a reasonable time.
- consider whether the problem is isolated or if the item is worn out in multiple areas.
And if you end up buying something new, try to reward products designed to last and be repairable: it’s the most consistent way to make even an exception sustainable.