Do you have a radio on the fritz or a cell phone that’s not working? Your first instinct might be to throw these out in the trash or recycling, but an even better solution is repairing it. Even if you’re not a tech wizard, you can still make do with a bit of gumption and research. These are five reasons to repair electronics instead of replacing.
1. Save money
Arguably the biggest reason for repairing electronics is that it’s more cost-effective. While you’ll have to budget for tools and replacement parts, it’s far better than dropping $100 or more on a new device. Being prudent with money means knowing the difference between when you need to spend a huge amount or a relatively meager amount for your desired result. Before you sigh and pull out your wallet, realize that you can still use your favorite devices without putting your budget in jeopardy.
2. Eco-friendly
If you’ve ever tossed a cell phone in the trash, you’ve probably not thought much about what happens to it. You might be alarmed to know how much devastation E-waste causes, not only to the environment but to people. It can cause health issues as serious as cancer. Do your part as a global citizen and try to repair before throwing away. If something is beyond repair, then you should make sure it’s properly recycled, such as through a trade-in program.
3. Satisfying
Simply buying something doesn’t give nearly the same amount of satisfaction as repairing it. Anyone can swipe their credit card or click “order” on a website. While it’ll definitely take longer to fix something yourself, you’ll be too busy smiling in triumph for how you buckled down and got it done.
4. Learning experience
When something breaks, you might just shrug and assume that it’s poorly made. To repair something, you need to understand how it broke in the first place. You might see how your treatment of an object led to it falling apart. This can cause you to be more cautious with how you treat valuables. A learning experience like this is one that’ll never slip away from you.
5. Financial opportunities
The positive experience of repairing one device can lead to you handling another one with ease. With this confidence, you should share your expertise with others. There are people all around you who bemoan having to kick their electronics to the curb when they falter and who might not realize that there’s another way. You might start a side business where you repair people’s electronics at a lower cost than replacing them.
It’s a shame to have to toss so many expensive items long before you’ve gotten your money’s worth from them. Repairing electronics helps you save money, feel pride, and more. The next time one of your conveniences is acting up, reach for the screwdriver instead of the trash bin.
