Right to repair in practice: Environmental and economic performance of coffee machine repairs

The European Commission's recent adoption of the ‘Right to Repair’ promotes product repairability to reduce waste and conserve raw materials. This European framework also requires that consumers be provided with clear and accessible information on their options to repair or replace broken appliances, emphasising the environmental and economic advantages of repair. Focusing on the product category of ‘capsule coffee machines’, this research aims to provide consumers with comprehensive information to support decision-making regarding repair costs and environmental performance. The study's novel approach integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodologies, enabling a holistic evaluation of the environmental and economic impacts of repair versus replacement decisions. Additionally, it introduces repairability indices for specific components and presents the findings in a consumer-friendly format, aligned with the European ‘Right to Repair’ initiative. To this end, four capsule coffee machines were selected as a case study. A diagnosis of the current repair landscape was conducted using data from the Open Repair Alliance, which provided information on priority parts, failure rates, failure ages, and repair success rates. Repairability indices for each machine and its priority components were then calculated in accordance with the EN 45554 standard. Finally, replacement and repair scenarios were analysed to assess their environmental and economic performance. The results indicated that prioritising the repair of components with high failure rates and ease of repair offers significant environmental and economic benefits. This transparent information can be provided to consumers, enabling them to decide between repairing or replacing their equipment. In theoretical terms, this framework enhances understanding of integrated sustainability assessments by combining environmental and economic analyses. In practical terms, it provides actionable insights for manufacturers and policymakers to design products for repairability. For society, it empowers consumers to make informed decisions that foster sustainable consumption and production.