The encouraging beginnings of the “repair bonus” for clothing and shoes

Nearly six months and already more than a thousand repairers - retouchers and shoemakers - certified, throughout France. Launched in November, the repair bonus for clothing and shoes allowed the French to save 2.3 million euros, or 8 euros on average per repair, according to Refashion, the eco-organization charged by the government with support the industry towards a more circular economy. Zipper or lining replacement, snag repair, heel change, half-sole break, resoling, etc.: in total, 250,000 repairs were carried out.

“It’s a very good start,” says Elsa Chassagnette, head of the repair fund, which finances the system, modeled on what is already done in household appliances. Since December, the number of repairs has increased tenfold. This is all the more positive since the repairers played the bonus game: overall, they did not increase their prices. »

The system has one objective: to extend the life of clothes and shoes, which are rarely recycled. Refashion will devote 154 million euros to this between 2023 and 2028, an amount coming entirely from the eco-contribution of companies in the sector.

“The repair bonus was the boost needed to encourage the French to review their way of consuming fashion,” says Elsa Chassagnette. It can range from 6 to 25 euros depending on the type of repair. In 2019, 16 million pieces (clothing and shoes) were repaired, according to Ademe. Refashion hopes to increase this figure to 21.6 million by 2028, increasing the number of labeled businesses to more than 1,500 by the end of 2025.