If It’s Broke, Fix It

A bolt of inspiration from Swedish government minister Per Bolund has seen a series of tax breaks implemented for Sweden’s citizens with a focus on reducing consumption. Since the beginning of 2017, Swedish consumers are being encouraged to fix rather than replace everything from bicycles to washing machines, and will receive generous tax breaks if they do so. “There is a shift in view in Sweden at the moment,” explains Bolund. “There is an increased awareness that we need to make our things last longer in order to reduce materials’ consumption.”