The nonprofit Environment Texas Research & Policy Center’s Fixed for the Holidays shopping guide helps consumers shop for used, repaired or refurbished electronics for a more environmentally sound holiday by saving money and reducing e-waste.

The annual guide contains tips on what to buy, which products to avoid, how to know if they are a good deal and where to shop. Buying refurbished or repaired products can reduce the environmental impact of a purchase by as much as 91 percent, while consumers can enjoy savings of 20 percent or more with generous warranties. Executive Director of Environment Texas Luke Metzger says, “It’s a win-win for the planet and consumers.”

The guide includes advice on recommended vendors; which devices make a good refurbished gift; how to know if something is a good deal; the risks and common pitfalls we might encounter in buying used products; and how to get money back if there are issues with a purchase.

“It's great to give gifts to loved ones or treat ourselves in the holiday season. We shouldn't have to hurt our planet or our wallets to do that,” says Metzger. “Let's give our planet a holiday gift this year by reducing the mountains of toxic e-waste.”

The Center has launched a Designed to Last campaign to make repair scores available to shoppers before they make a purchase. The scores are similar to car fuel economy stickers for repairability, providing a one through 10 fixability rating, based on availability of spare parts, ease of disassembly and longevity of software support. These scores are already provided in other countries by retailers such as Amazon, and the network has been collecting signatures from American consumers demanding Amazon make them available here.

For more information visit https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/fixed-for-the-holidays/,