In a fast-paced world fueled by instant gratification and a constant stream of new trends and products, it’s easy to forget the value of just keeping what we have. But there’s a growing movement promoting a shift away from our throwaway culture. We're looking forward to two upcoming Repair Cafes in January and March that will encourage us rethink the disposable lifestyle and move away from quickly buying replacements when something breaks.
Constant consumption has become a part of our culture, and we have learned to buy replacements for anything that breaks. However, this pattern can be very wasteful and contributes to pollution and depletion of resources from the manufacturing of new items. With the new year upon us, let’s create new habits and introduce a culture of circularity into our everyday lives. The "Culture of Repair" aims to minimize waste and maximize resources by either repairing, refurbishing or recycling products when they are near the end of their life. This creates a demand for items that prioritize longevity and helps promote environmentally-conscious consumption. Creating and ultimately demanding longer-lasting products has the potential to build more sustainable business models as well.
In addition to the more obvious benefits like saving money and reducing waste, buying a replacement item can be costly, often more so than repairing it. Taking it to a community based repair cafe can be an excellent solution, with free help provided by experienced repair volunteers. For example, Sustainable Contra Costa & the City of Walnut Creek will host a Repair Cafe in Walnut Creek on January 25, 2025 at Civic Park’s Community Center. There will be volunteers to help you repair everything from small household appliances and jewelry to bikes and more – you won’t want to miss it. Check out our social media posts for more details regarding the event! The second repair cafe of 2025 takes place in El Cerrito on March 22, save the date! Repair cafes like this strengthen community bonds and are an opportunity for people to share knowledge, learn hands-on skills and work together toward a common goal: fixing things. They creates a safe space for shared purpose, collaboration and learning.
Repairing electronic devices instead of replacing them is a particularly useful trend. Many electronics, for example, contain batteries that are harmful to the environment if improperly disposed of. Research shows that American households spent an average of $1,767 per year on purchasing new electronic products. By repairing electronics, we not only save money but also reduce the environmental impact caused by manufacturing and disposing – a win for our wallets and the earth!
Improper disposal of electronics or hazardous materials like lithium batteries, lead, mercury or cadmium can pollute the soil and groundwater. It is extremely important to properly dispose of hazardous waste by dropping such materials off at waste collection sites; some electronic stores or retail stores serve as drop-off points for items like batteries. Additionally, the packaging required for newly purchased products, usually plastic, adds to the growing waste problem. Repairing instead of replacing reduces waste from excessive packaging and its associated environmental impacts.
But it's about more than just fixing things. The Culture of Repair is an opportunity to rethink the way we consume as a society. There are arguments that repair is not only a solution for material objects, but an investment in ourselves. As we repair, we develop new skills, gain a sense of accomplishment, and contribute to a mindset shift that values sustainability and resourcefulness over disposability. By embracing a repair culture, we challenge the fast-paced cycle of consumption and embrace a more thoughtful, sustainable way of living.
So think again before tossing out that broken chair, shirt that lost a few buttons, or bike – there may be a way to repair it! Fix it yourself or find a local Repair Cafe for help. You’re saving money, resources and contributing to a stronger, more sustainable community. Let’s embrace the culture of repair together as we welcome in the new year.
Sources:
https://cleanmanagement.com/blog/how-improper-waste-disposal-affects-the-environment/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20121129-the-cost-of-our-throwaway-culture
https://earth.org/throwaway-culture-is-drowning-us-in-waste/
https://www.promarket.org/2024/04/03/the-limited-promise-of-right-to-repair-reforms/
Photo by Tania Melnyczuk on Unsplash
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