Groundwork London’s REWORK Project: Changing the Way London Think’s about White Goods 

The moment a washing machine breaks, or a fridge stops working, we’re faced with a familiar decision: it’s time to replace it. But how that item is replaced can have a much bigger impact than most people realise, and it’s hurting the planet, and our pockets in the longer term. 

With only 21% of electrical and electronic products being repaired and/or reused, resulting in an extensive 5.93 million tonnes of CO2e emitted from new device manufacture and disposal alone, should we reconsider our shopping patterns for London’s white goods? When storing them is taking up an average of 700kg in our own homes as well, Londoners are bursting at the seams to find a more sustainable solution. 

The cost of buying new 

In their recent report, ReLondon and The University of Oxford researched and outlined the true footprint of electricals and electronics in London. The results presented realities in the manufacturing and waste industries, and more importantly, the behaviours behind closed doors that are encroaching on our day to day lives.  

In our busy city, convenience matters, and it might feel easier to buy a new appliance rather than explore any other options or find a reliable way to repair safely. Each year, Londoners spend around £3.3 billion on electrical and electronic products, purchasing an estimated 273,000 tonnes of devices. Yet less than 35% of electrical equipment placed on the market is recovered sustainably, meaning most products are not repaired and kept in use for as long as potentially could be. 

ReLondon estimates that around £1.9 billion worth of repairable electrical items were thrown away in London in 2023—more than £250 per adult. 

This isn’t simply about waste. It reflects how as consumers, we are presented with choice. Buying new is often the easiest option when faced with an item that isn’t working. Repair services or refurbished options are not always visible nor perceived as trustworthy or convenient enough to consider. However, the market is changing for the better. This is where Groundwork London’s REWORK project comes in.  

It begins with trust 

REWORK exists to offer customers a choice, making refurbished appliances a practical, credible option—not just an ideal one—so buying new is no longer your only realistic path. At REWORK we pride ourselves on refurbishing London’s white goods to a high-quality standard that will last for years to come and look great in your home. ReLondon’s report shows that 46% of Londoners have had an item repaired in recent years, suggesting interest to extending the life of products already exists. The gap is not willingness—it is access and trust. 

We know that trust in a brand is important when buying refurbished. As a small initiative, we acknowledge that our reputation is still growing, and customers need reassurance on the quality and longevity of refurbished white goods. While our eBay store that’s been running since 2013, upholds 100% positive feedback on sales, we want to give every customer the confidence that when they purchase with us, their domestic appliance is a smart investment, not just an easy replacement. For this, we also provide a six-month warranty on every appliance across our online shop. 

The opportunity that REWORK provides in London is about changing what feels normal when something stops working at home. Ultimately, we offer better replacements for users and for London, refurbished to last. Since our Wandsworth workshop opened in 2013, we have saved an estimated 43,000 tonnes of CO₂ by reselling refurbished items to Londoners, offering competitive prices and collections suitable for smaller budgets. Check out our Clearance for our very best prices. 

To ensure we are as accessible as possible, we offer collection and delivery services across London and 30 miles beyond the M25, and we continue to improve our delivery options to reach wider communities beyond the city. 

Refurbished with purpose is a much better offer

We understand that for many, the decision to replace a broken appliance is not a simple one. And it’s just as difficult for us to compete when companies have made it easier to buy a brand-new fridge freezer instead of investigating and repairing the problem of a current one. 

The difference for us is purpose. Each refurbished household appliance sale with REWORK is more than profit; it’s funding towards real, sustainable solutions. And it’s just as much about the people that work at REWORK as the products we rescue too! All our appliances are refurbished by our engineers, and trainees on a six-month living wage work placements.  When you choose to buy a refurbished appliance through REWORK, you’re investing in measurable impact and opportunities for people as part of the charity, Groundwork London. Our work and mission is directly rooted in the communities we serve across the capital, improving people’s lives and the places where they live.  

Reality sparks action 

ReLondon and the University of Oxford identified three key levers that can influence consumer choice and help keep electricals in use for longer: 

1. Increase repair and reuse of appliances that would otherwise be thrown away – modelled by Groundwork London’s REWORK project.  

2. Improve correct disposal of unwanted electricals so valuable materials and products can be recovered – modelled by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Repair Voucher Scheme.  

3. Increase formal household WEEE collection rates to make recycling electricals more accessible – modelled by Veolia’s e-waste collection points in Southwark, delivered with Community TechAid. 

Together, these three interventions aim to make it easier for Londoners to repair, reuse and recycle electricals—giving consumers better choices at every stage of an appliance’s life. Other alternatives include local repair cafe’s across London’s boroughs, and the Library of Things for smaller EEE.   

The future of London’s white goods is about putting the choice back into the hands of the consumer, providing accessible, available choices on a local level. Consider what is possible when something breaks, knowing that repair, reuse and refurbishment is an option that can spark opportunity for something new, and good, for people, your pocket and for our planet 🌎 

You can read the full report by ReLondon and the University of Oxford, here.