We want to make it easier to choose to repair
When the Crown Prince visited Elkjøp's electronics workshop Elcare, he got to see how repair can be a real alternative to throwaway culture, and how the circular economy is about more than recycling. He was even allowed to try a repair job himself.
50 electronic products are repaired every single day at Elcare's workshop in Kongsvinger. That amounts to around 275,000 products per year.
"The most environmentally friendly electronics is the one you already own. Every repair means a longer lifespan, better use of resources, and less waste. What happens here every day is green transition in practice," says Fredrik Tønnesen, CEO of Elkjøp Nordic and owner of Elcare.
Electronic waste is one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams. At the same time, electronics contain important and limited raw materials. According to estimates, around 10 million old mobile phones are sitting in Norwegian homes — many of which could have been repaired or recycled.
Calling for a VAT reduction
Today, customers pay 25 percent VAT on repairs. Many people want to repair their devices, but find it too costly and end up buying new ones instead. Reduced VAT on repairs is one of the measures that could help strengthen the market and safeguard jobs in the repair industry.
Elkjøp believes that more attractive operating conditions can help strengthen both environmental efforts and local employment.
"Many people want to repair, but end up buying new because doing the right thing is too expensive. If we are to succeed with the circular economy, repair must be a real and viable option — for both consumers and businesses," says Tønnesen.
Among the participants during the visit was also the Norwegian Consumer Council.
"Consumers are keen to make sustainable choices. We must therefore ensure that repair is actually an accessible option. Measures that make it easier and cheaper to repair will help reduce both waste and unnecessary use of resources," says Mette Fossum, Director of the Consumer Council.
Elkjøp has set a goal for repairs and circular services to account for 5% of revenue by 2028. The workshop in Kongsvinger is a central part of this initiative.