In Europe, we spend 12 billion euros on replacing consumer products that could have been repaired. This not only places a heavy burden on the environment but also increases our dependence on other countries for raw materials. Repair extends the lifespan of products, strengthens our strategic autonomy, and reduces environmental impact – whether it concerns (office) furniture, machines, tools, toys, bicycles, or clothing. However, making the transition to a Repair Society is not easy. In this Thesis Lab we will dive deeper into how we can make the transition to a repair society, together with the Province of South-Holland, the Repair Coalition (‘Reparatiecoalitie’) and other companies, municipalities and NGO’s.
Back to the LDE Thesis Labs page
Worldwide, more and more items are being discarded, including in the Netherlands. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams: in 2022, an estimated 62 million tons of this type of waste was generated globally. Less than a quarter of it was officially recorded and collected. Promoting repair brings major benefits: 261 million tons of CO₂ reduction, 30 million tons of raw material savings, 35 million tons less waste, and 4.8 billion euros per year in growth and investment (European Commission Research, 2024).
In this Thesis Lab, we will dive deeper into how we can make the transition to a repair society. You will carry out your own thesis project based on the assignments in the booklet. These themes ask for a variety of disciplines, such as industrial design, environmental sciences, social studies, business studies, governance and urban management.
In your research, you will collaborate with one of our knowledge partners. Next to that you will join a mandatory 12 sessions bi-weekly program between January and July 2027. Together with other students, you will contribute to a society where repairing takes precedence over replacing in an end result.
Challenge
How can we make a transition towards a repair society, over a ‘replacing’ society?
Case holder
This Lab is part of the ‘Repair Coalition’. The Repair Coalition is a growing network of businesses, public institutions, educational organizations, and social initiatives. Together, they are shaping a repair-focused economy – a society where repairing takes precedence over replacing, and where maintainig value becomes the new norm.
This Thesis Lab is sponsored by the Province of South Holland, one of the initiators of the Repair Coalition. The Province of South Holland aims to reduce primary raw materials by 50% in 2030.
LDE CfS has a Repair and Reuse community that connects researchers, companies, governments, and citizens to accelerate repair, refurbishment, and reuse. Through projects like the Reparatie Lab and initiatives such as Tackling Fixophobia, the community explores practical and systemic solutions to extend product lifetimes and cut waste.
Knowlegde partners thesis assignment
More information about the knowledge partners will follow soon!
Interesting reads
Results 2025-2026 LDE Thesis Lab ‘The Future of Repair’
White Paper ‘Repair in the Circular Economy’
“The European Right to Repair” with Dr. René Repasi
“Repair within the circular economy” with Nico Werkman (Decathlon)
Terugblik Congres met Techniek Nederland: Retail2Repair