Key points:
- Consumer NZ has delivered a petition to parliament to demand the introduction of repairability labels on household appliances and electronic devices.
- It comes as one Lower Hutt recycling centre said products coming in to be processed has escalated in the last two years.
- Green Party commerce spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said he hopes to get cross-party support on the matter.
Consumer advocates are calling for the compulsory labelling of how repairable products are to curb a growing e-waste problem across New Zealand.
Kiwis throw away 100,000 tonnes of e-waste each year on average, around 20kg per person.
A Lower Hutt recycling centre says the number of products coming in to be processed has escalated in the last two years.
"Being able to stay on top of it gets harder all the time," said Earthlink chief executive Chris Ellis.
"A lot of the stuff comes through here because its convenient when it breaks down not to fix it, just to go and buy another one."
Old or broken tech is difficult to give a second life and even if repairs are possible, there is little incentive to do so.
However, political pressure is mounting for better labelling and cheaper and faster repairs.
Consumer NZ delivered a petition with more than 21,000 signatures to Parliament earlier this week to demand the introduction of repairability labels on household appliances and electronic devices.
Chief executive Jon Duffy said MPs should recognise an "urgent need" for legislative action to tackle the scale of e-waste.
"New Zealanders are tired of replacing products due to minor faults, paying excessive fees for repairs, and being limited by where they can get products repaired."
He said New Zealand was the only country in the OECD without regulations on e-waste and that we must follow Europe in forcing manufacturers to disclose information about the longevity and repairability of products.
"Over time, the EU system will force manufacturers to lift their game or be ditched by customers seeking longer-lasting products. Unrepairable products cost consumers and the planet."
Meanwhile, the Green Party has drafted an amendment bill to ensure products are repairable and to reduce charges and wait times.
Commerce spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said he thinks every politician has an experience of having an appliance break and not being able to repair it.
"We're really hoping to get cross-party support to ensure that consumers are able to have goods."
He said it would be "amazing" for consumers to have the right to repair goods.
"This is a cost of living and environmental issue. It ticks all the boxes, and it should be a no-brainer for MPs across different political parties."
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