repair
Repair LAB 2025-2026

Each year, we waste billions of kilos of products — and the amount of waste continues to grow. Repairing products offers great opportunities to reverse this trend and make Europe less dependent on other countries for raw materials. In this Lab, we explore how businesses, governments, consumers, and NGOs can pave the way for repair.


In Europe, we spend 12 billion euros each year replacing items 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. 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). 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.

The central question: How can businesses, public and educational institutions, NGOs, and consumers promote repair?

How does it work? 

Until early September, you can submit your research question to us. We will match your question with a master’s student from one of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus universities or a university of applied sciences in the South Holland region. This student will work on your topic and write their graduation thesis about it. In addition, the student will follow a program of eleven sessions, including lectures, site visits, and workshops — which you are also warmly invited to attend. Read more about the Labs here.

what questions, for who? 

To stimulate repair, we need knowledge about new business models, design, legislation, the impact of repair, consumer behavior, and (policy) tools that can encourage repair. All these topics are covered in the Repair Lab. Which makes this Lab profitable for business, governmental and educational organizations and ngo's & citizen initiatives. The focus is on providing practical pathways for different stakeholders. How can you promote repair?  

repair

Participate now (free of charge)

Your participation is free of charge. You do not pay anything for the (graduation) research. You can register now with your research question — until August 31, 2025.

Register here

Examples of questions

You decide your own research question. Below are some examples to help guide or inspire you. If one of these questions reflects a challenge within your organization, feel free to adopt it directly.

Businesses
Which business models make repair profitable? What value chain collaborations offer the best opportunities?
How can repair be placed at the core of your business strategy?
How can a marketing strategy reinforce repair — and vice versa?
How can repair become part of a future-proof business model?

Governments
What kind of repair industry does Europe need to reduce its dependence on raw materials?
Where (for which product groups) lies the greatest potential for environmental impact reduction?
How can we strengthen repair efforts at the local level?
How can the national government best implement the European Right to Repair?
How can governments ensure a level playing field?

Educational Institutions
How do we create a ‘repair mindset’?
How do we train people with repair skills?
How can the repair profession become more attractive?

Consumers
How can design influence consumer behavior in favor of repair?
What incentives encourage citizens to choose repair more often?

NGOs
How do citizen initiatives put pressure on manufacturers to adopt repair-friendly design, and under what conditions are they successful?

planning

July and August: find research questions 
September: selecting research questions
September till november: recruiting students
September till december: developing Lab programme
Febuary 2026: start Repair Lab 
July 2026: end of the Lab