Small Appliances Are Flunking Right to Repair, PIRG Report Finds

Small Appliances Are Flunking Right to Repair, PIRG Report Finds, revealing that common household appliances are far less repairable than smartphones and other devices, posing significant challenges for electronics recycling efforts and e-waste management.

Last reviewed by James Hartley on 16 April 2026

What Does the PIRG Report Say About Small Appliances?

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) released a report highlighting that 58 small appliances-such as blenders, coffeemakers, and vacuums-are increasingly difficult to repair due to proprietary screws, sealed casings, and lack of access to spare parts. This trend exacerbates the already daunting issue of e-waste recycling.

According to the BankMyCell 2024, iPhones retain trade-in value better than Android phones, losing ~40% in year 1 vs ~55%.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, the world generates over 62 million tonnes of electronic waste annually, yet only around 22.3% is formally recycled. The report from PIRG highlights that small appliances are often designed with features that hinder repair and reuse, contributing to higher volumes of e-waste.

How Does This Affect Electronics Recycling?

This report means fewer opportunities for recycling and reusing small appliances, leading to more waste in landfills or informal disposal methods. For example, the US generates 6.92 million tonnes of e-waste per year, much of which could be salvaged if repair was easier.

According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, mobile phones contain up to 60 different elements, including critical raw materials.

As a result, recyclers face greater challenges in extracting valuable materials like gold and silver from these devices. A million smartphones contain about 35kg of gold and 340kg of silver-resources that are lost when appliances end up as waste rather than being repaired and recycled.

What Are the Environmental Impacts?

The environmental impact is substantial. By making it harder to repair small appliances, manufacturers contribute to increased e-waste, which can lead to toxic emissions from informal recycling practices or landfill leachate. The Basel Convention highlights the risks associated with improper disposal of electronic waste, emphasizing the importance of proper recycling and reuse.

According to the BankMyCell depreciation tracker, The average smartphone loses 35-45% of its trade-in value within the first year.

repairing devices instead of replacing them conserves resources. Small appliances that are difficult to fix encourage consumers to purchase new ones, driving demand for raw materials like lithium used in batteries. With the global lithium-ion battery market projected to reach 2.5 TWh by 2030, reducing waste through repair can help mitigate resource depletion.

How Can Consumers and Businesses Respond?

Consumers should look for products that are designed with repairability in mind, often indicated by features like user-friendly screws or accessible components. At Small Appliances Are Flunking Right to Repair, PIRG Report Finds, businesses involved in electronics recycling need to adapt their processes to handle more complex disassembly and material recovery from these appliances.

One practical step is supporting right-to-repair initiatives and regulations, such as the WEEE Directive in the EU, which aims for 65% collection of e-waste by weight by 2031. These measures can help ensure that small appliances are designed to be more sustainable and easier to recycle.

What Can Individuals Do Now?

Individuals can start by checking if their local recycling facilities accept small appliances. Many places have specific drop-off points for items like coffee makers or blenders, which ensures these devices don't end up in landfills. Additionally, exploring repair services offered by companies that specialize in fixing household gadgets can extend the life of these products and reduce waste.

For more information on e-waste management and recycling practices, visit our guides section or check out our article on [urban mining](/glossary/urban-mining). These resources provide detailed insights into the latest trends in tech sustainability and practical steps for responsible electronics disposal.

Sources

• BankMyCell 2024
• Royal Society of Chemistry
• BankMyCell depreciation tracker