We all have drawers and cupboards we don’t dare open anymore because we’re worried its unsteady and rickety content will knock us over… But you might find some forgotten gems left hibernating and in need of some tinkering. Today is Repair Day 2019, so arm yourself with tools (and a sturdy helmet…) and save these items from premature burial!
Ever since 2017, Repair Day takes place every year to promote the value and importance of repairing, and is organised by the Open Repair Alliance, a network of associations organising Repair Cafés all over the world. This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Repair Café, as well as the historic vote on mandatory repairability criteria to be respected by producers of iconic household goods such as dishwashers, washing machines and fridges[1].
Following the worldwide movement of climate strikes triggered by Greta Thunberg, this year’s motto is to “repair for the climate and for the future”. For many years, along with other organisations, RREUSE has been vocal about supporting EU policies making it cheaper and easier to repair your products. Extending product lifetime is the best way to avoid extraction of raw materials, which is by far the main contributor to climate change. The use of resources such as biomass, metals, fuels and minerals trigger more than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions[2]. As a result, RREUSE joined the Right to Repair coalition pushing European policymakers to adopt ambitious legislative measures supporting and encouraging repair.
So, grab your tools, seize the day and give your devices a second life by fixing something yourself or going to a local Repair Café or repair shop. If you don’t have the time, you can also drop off your broken items in one of the RREUSE network charity shops. Not only might they be able to fix and resale goods to low-income households, but they also employ people at risk of socio-economic exclusion.
Find the nearest Repair Café in your area!
[1] RREUSE (2019), EU leap toward the Right to Repair needs an extra push (Available here)
[2] UN (2019, Global Resources Outlook (Available here)