White trash

Disgruntled engineers create repairable washing machine

Disheartened by the number of washing machines Brits send to landfill - 1.5 million a year - some enterprising service engineers have come up with their own super-efficient model that’s designed to last.

It’s not surprising that only 39% of washing machines make it past the ripe old age of ten before they’re scrapped, say the founders of ISE Appliances. When a washing machine goes wrong, replacing the drum unit can cost more than a third of the price of a new appliance, they explain. Just 20 years ago, before the widespread use of encased components, you could replace the moving parts individually.

That good old-fashioned principle of repairability underlies ISE’s AAA-rated, long-life machine. While at first glance the £499 price tag might seem dear, it does include installation, delivery, a five-year warranty, and eventual end-of-life removal and recycling. Add those extras on to your average Bosch, and it would come to £550, says ISE. What’s more, it wouldn’t be as energy-efficient - and wouldn’t do nearly as much to stop the demise of the local washing machine repairman.  - Hannah Bullock

24 June 2007

Hannah Bullock