Broken Coffee Machine on Trial:
Hasselt University Brings Circularity into the Courtroom
Can a manufacturer be required to make a broken coffee machine easy to repair? And what rules apply when waste is transported across borders? These questions took centre stage during “The Great Repair Case“, an initiative organised by Hasselt University and the City of Hasselt to explore the legal dimensions of repair and circularity.
As part of this mock trial, law students took on the role of lawyers and argued two fictional cases before a jury consisting of repair experts from local Repair Cafés and members of the public. The first case centred on a defective coffee machine and the responsibilities of manufacturers under the European Union’s Right to Repair framework. The second examined the legal implications of transporting waste abroad.
The event was inspired by recent European legislation designed to make repairing products easier and more attractive for consumers. According to Professor Jonas Voorter of Hasselt University and Utrecht University, creating a more circular economy requires more than technological innovation alone. Legal frameworks also play a key role in defining the responsibilities of producers and consumers and creating the conditions that enable repair and reuse.
By debating real-world sustainability challenges in a courtroom setting, students gained hands-on experience with emerging legislation while discovering how law can contribute to environmental goals. The initiative also highlights the important role local communities can play in promoting repair culture, with the City of Hasselt supporting several Repair Cafés and other reuse initiatives throughout the year.
The Great Repair Case is a strong example of how education can connect academic learning with societal challenges. It also reflects the ambitions of the EURECA-PRO alliance, where partner universities work together to advance responsible consumption and production through innovative education, research and community engagement.
