Erfurt (dpa/th) - Almost 12,000 people in Thuringia took the opportunity this year to have broken electrical devices repaired with the help of a financial state subsidy. In many cases, without the subsidy, the devices would have ended up in the garbage without being repaired, as the Ministry of the Environment announced on Friday. It had launched the so-called repair bonus 2021 in the fight against the throwaway mentality. It expires at the end of the year for the time being, but according to the ministry it is to be reissued in 2023 with a volume of 600,000 euros. One million euros were available for this this year.

Private households usually get half of the repair costs back through the program, the upper limit is 100 euros. Application and reimbursement run through the Thuringian consumer center. According to the Ministry's observations, the bonus is mainly used to repair mobile phones, washing machines, coffee machines, dishwashers, stoves and ovens. The life of certain favorite items, such as defective sewing machines, was also extended in this way through repairs. The devices do not necessarily have to be taken to a specialist dealer for repairs, so-called repair cafés can also be used.

It is not yet clear when the program will continue next year. First of all, the previous experiences should be evaluated, it said. Thuringia is a nationwide pioneer with this model. The state government has been trying for a long time to implement it nationwide. The ministry said it was at least being discussed in Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria and Hesse. It was imitated in the city of Leipzig.