Revice: Designing Repair-First Choices for Electronics

Revice is a mobile platform designed to reduce e-waste by making repair, reuse and responsible disposal easier than buying new. The project began with the question: why do people keep replacing electronics even when repair or reuse may still be possible?
Research revealed a recurring behavior pattern: people are emotionally and financially attached to their devices, but once a product is out of warranty, repair feels expensive, confusing, slow or untrustworthy. Many users end up buying new devices, while old phones, laptops, chargers and cables are forgotten in drawers because people feel guilty throwing them away, worry about data privacy, or do not know how to discard them responsibly. The research also identified the influence of yearly product launches, FOMO and the high cost of out-of-warranty repairs on unsustainable purchase behavior. Revice responds to this problem through a one-stop experience for device diagnosis and repair decision-making. Users can select their device, identify specific issues, try quick troubleshooting steps, view a repairability score and choose between guided self-repair, nearby repair centers or expert support. The platform compares repair options by price, distance, time, ratings and service availability, helping users make faster and more confident decisions.
Beyond repair, Revice addresses the hidden pile of unused electronics at home. Users can donate or lend old devices to local repair shops and receive vouchers or rewards, creating an incentive to keep electronics in circulation instead of sending them to landfill. The platform also supports future sustainable purchasing by recommending devices with higher repairability scores, helping users consider longevity before they buy. The concept was tested with users, repair shops and tech experts, validating the need for a trusted repair ecosystem and the value of switching between repair-shop support and self-repair guidance.
Revice turns sustainability from a vague intention into a practical everyday choice. It connects consumers, repair businesses and product information into one accessible system that extends device life, reduces hoarding and encourages a more conscious relationship with technology.