When you have stuff you don't want anymore or it has stopped working? Repair or Swap is the answer instead of putting those items into the garbage bin. Trade for something you want or fix your broken item, it's easier than you may think!
Got something you don't want but someone else might? If it works and is in decent shape there is likely someone out there who would love to trade you for your unwanted item. The age-old practice of bartering is getting a high-tech boost with new websites and apps that help connect those with stuff and those looking to trade for stuff.
Want to try swapping? Check out Swapsity which is a leading Canadian platform to swap stuff and services.
What's a repair cafe?
Repair Cafés are locations filled with tools and materials to help you make any repairs you need. You'll be able to repair clothes, furniture. electrical appliances, toys, bikes and more! Not sure how to make a repair with all these tools you've never used before? Ask one of the expert volunteers who have repair skills in all kinds of fields. Before you know it, you'll be busy working alongside a specialist to fix your broken item. They also have books on how to do repairs and DIY activities in case you get stuck. Overall, it's an amazing opportunity to learn from others and gain new skills!
Why should we repair and swap?
The easiest way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place! Before we label an item as waste, let's try to find ways to salvage it. We often throw away vast amounts of stuff because we don't realize how easy it is to repair it. People get stumped because the hardest step is to figure out how to fix something. So, a Repair Café is the perfect way to learn from people who have this practical knowledge and conquer the feeling of hopelessness once something stops working.
Valuable practical knowledge is getting passed on. Things are being used for longer and don’t have to be thrown away. This reduces the volume of raw materials and energy needed to make new products. It cuts CO2 emissions, for example, because manufacturing new products and recycling old ones causes CO2 to be released.
The Repair Café teaches people to see their possessions in a new light and to appreciate their value. This is essential to kindle people’s enthusiasm for a sustainable society. But most of all, the Repair Café just wants to show how much fun repairing things can be, and how easy it often is. Why don’t you give it a go?
Find your local Repair Café here: https://repaircafe.org/en/visit/
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