Fixing broken washing machines saves households money and cuts environmental harm, British study finds

Repairing broken washing machines instead of replacing them would lower household costs, support regional economies and reduce environmental damage, according to research from University College London (UCL) commissioned by the British nonprofit Material Focus, Peter Dennis reported Friday in Circular.

For machines costing £300 or more, repair was consistently cheaper than replacement, the study found. It used an average purchase price of £370. Higher repair rates could add about four years to a machine's average life, and even when a newer model was more energy efficient, the lifetime savings were too small to offset the cost of replacing a repairable one.

Although 65% of people surveyed said they would prefer to repair a faulty machine, 40% said they had replaced one without first considering repair. Functional failures, many of them fixable, account for 69% of washing machine disposals.

"Our research clearly demonstrates that extending the lifespan of household appliances through repair is one of the most effective ways to reduce their overall environmental impact," said Mark Miodownik, a professor at UCL.

The report calls for better access to technical information and spare parts and for accreditation of skilled repairers. People who had repaired an appliance before were far more likely to do so again, and the modeling found repair services could give manufacturers and retailers "profitable, recurring income."

"Making repair easier and more accessible is a triple win," said Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus.

This brief is based on an article published Oct. 16, 2026, by Peter Dennis in Circular. Read the original: https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/washing-machine-repair-offers-a-triple-win-for-households-businesses-and-the-environment-ucl-finds/