R.U.S.Z. (Reparatur und Service Zentrum – Repair and Service Center) is a special initiative in Vienna, where jobless people are trained to repair goods at affordable prices and disassemble electronic equipment so that hazardous and non-hazardous waste is separated. Items most commonly repaired are electronic and electrical household devices.

It created an enormous demand for repair services which sowed the seeds of the Repair Network Vienna, a network of some 60 private, profit-oriented repair companies and was followed by the creation of three other repair networks in Austria (www.repanet.at).

The research and development unit of R.U.S.Z. developed a technical method for reducing the water and energy consumption of older washing machines by 20%. Energy efficiency class C-devices can therefore be upgraded to energy efficiency class A.

More information about this good practice

See other factsheets on reuse:

•   Ecomoebel – Reuse of furniture: network for the reconditioning and marketing of used furniture under the brand “ZweitSinn” in Germany (Pre-waste Factsheet 13)

•   Alelyckan Re-use Park in Sweden (Pre-waste Factsheet 30)

•   Reuse Centre L’Alligatore in Italy (Pre-waste Factsheet 38)

•   Guide for repairing, selling & reusing goods in Rennes, France (Pre-waste factsheet 50)