Protesters voice their opposition towards the potential introduction of a repair incentive
Berlin's popular repair bonus program, designed to incentivise the repair of private electrical appliances and promote sustainability, is facing potential discontinuation due to funding limitations and potential policy shifts. The program, which offers residents up to €200 to repair broken electronic devices, has been successful in encouraging circularity and extending appliance lifespans [1].
The repair bonus program, launched in September 2024, has funded over 14,000 repairs of electrical and electronic devices since its inception. Local repair shops have also benefited from the program, with increased demand for their services. However, due to high demand and the exhaustion of funds by the end of June 2025, no new applications are currently being accepted [1].
The program costs €1.25 million per year to run, and its continuation hinges on the outcome of the budget negotiations. The black-red Berlin Senate has adopted its draft for the 2026/2027 double budget on July 22, but a final decision on the repair bonus program can only be made after the conclusion of these negotiations [1].
If the program were to be discontinued, several potential impacts could arise. Consumers may face higher expenses on new appliances and reduced motivation to fix existing ones. Environmentally, more electronic waste could be generated, increasing environmental burdens related to disposal and resource consumption. Local repair shops may also face reduced demand, impacting local employment and the repair ecosystem that supports sustainable consumption [1].
Tobias Quast-Malur, the association's representative for waste and resource policy, considers the repair bonus an extremely successful tool for promoting sustainable, environmentally conscious behaviour [1]. However, as it stands, the program cannot be continued due to a lack of available financial resources. The parliament is expected to decide on the budget in December [1].
The repair bonus incentivizes consumers to repair defective devices instead of buying new ones, thereby contributing to Berlin's efforts towards a circular economy and sustainability goals [1]. As the city continues to navigate its budget discussions, the fate of this valuable program remains uncertain.
[1] Source: German environmental and nature conservation association (BUND) and various news articles.
- The repair bonus program, an instrumental tool in Berlin's efforts towards a circular economy and sustainability goals, is facing potential discontinuation due to budget limitations and policy shifts, as the parliament is expected to decide on the budget in December.
- If the repair bonus program were to be discontinued, it would lead to increased expenditures for consumers on new appliances, generating more electronic waste, and impacting local employment and the repair ecosystem that supports sustainable consumption.
- While the repair bonus program, which encourages circularity and extends appliance lifespans, has been successful in environmental-science terms, its continuation depends on the outcome of the budget negotiations and policy-and-legislation decisions in politics, particularly finance.
