Peter Mui, founder of Fixit Clinic, describes his repair work as a hobby that’s gotten out of control. What started as a tool share in Berkeley, California, has turned into a volunteer-run group that has organized more than 1,300 repair events around the country. At Fixit Clinics, people can bring any broken household item — from worn socks to broken toasters — and learn how to make them functional again.
“During the last few years, interest in repair has exploded,” Mui said.
But in six states — California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, New York and Oregon — right-to-repair laws have been passed to protect consumers’ ability to repair or modify their products instead of having to go through the manufacturer. Oregon’s law is the most recent, passing in 2024 and going into effect in January.
As of March, right-to-repair bills had been introduced in all 50 states, and 20 state legislatures are currently debating such bills…