Vienna has introduced the “Wien repariert’s – der Wiener Reparaturbon” program to encourage sustainable consumption by promoting the repair of household items instead of their replacement. Managed by the City of Vienna’s Environmental Protection Department, this initiative provides financial incentives for residents to repair rather than discard items.
The program issues repair vouchers that can be redeemed at designated businesses within Vienna’s repair network. These vouchers subsidize repair costs by up to 50%, with a maximum subsidy of €100 for completed repairs. If a repair estimate is obtained but not acted upon, the program covers up to 100% of the estimated cost, capped at €55.
To participate, residents simply need to visit one of the participating repair shops, present their items for assessment, and receive a repair estimate. Upon completing the repair, the voucher is redeemed, and the subsidy amount is deducted directly from the total invoice. This streamlined process eliminates the need for complex reimbursement procedures.
Participating shops in Vienna’s repair network encompass a variety of services, including electronics, household appliances, textiles, and more. These businesses have been selected based on their commitment to quality repair services and adherence to program guidelines.
Since the introduction of the Vienna Repair Voucher program, more than 40,000 items have been repaired, avoiding approximately 2,800 tons of CO2 emissions.
For comparison: One hectare of forest stores around 13 tons of CO2 per year. Thus, the Vienna Repair Voucher has effectively preserved the equivalent of approximately 215 hectares of forest.
Prolonging the lifespan of items not only contributes to environmental protection but also strengthens regional economic cycles, enhances value creation in Vienna, secures jobs, and promotes awareness of a resource-efficient lifestyle. From an ecological standpoint, repairing non-electrical appliances proves beneficial. These items, due to their weight and prevalence, play a significant role. Repairing non-electrical appliances like furniture and bicycles is particularly meaningful:
The weight of a smartphone is minimal compared to many non-electrical appliances such as bicycles and furniture. Considering the weight of non-electrical appliances (furniture, bicycles, etc.), repairing a smartphone weighing an average of 140 grams saves 7.33 kilograms of CO2, whereas repairing a bicycle weighing 15 kilograms achieves a CO2 reduction of 152.55 kilograms. Ignoring non-electrical appliances in repair subsidies completely overlooks this significant stream of mass and prevents extending their lifespan from the outset. Every repair, regardless of the product category, keeps valuable resources in use, thereby enhancing resource efficiency.
Register or sign in here to request your voucher.