$\"The$

The 4 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle<\/p><\/div>\n

The Repair component impacts climate both before and after we use the product. Think of a very simple product lifecycle: a product is manufactured, we buy and use the product, and at some point, we discard the product. This product impacts Climate Change on the front end by producing emissions throughout the manufacturing (and transportation) cycle and on the backend with the emissions coming out of the landfill or incinerator.<\/p>\n

So, if we can Repair a product versus discarding a product, we save emissions not only from waste, but also by eliminating the need to produce the new, replacement product. If we can extend the life of our products, we can reduce emissions. The only caveat here is the case where the existing product produces a lot of emissions during use compared to a newer, more efficient version of the product \u2013 appliances are a great example.<\/p>\n

Still not convinced?<\/p>\n

For every ton of trash we produce, the equivalent of 71 tons of manufacturing, mining, oil and gas exploration, agricultural, coal combustion and other discards are produced! (source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance and GrassRoots Recycling Network, 2000. Wasting and Recycling in the U.S. p.13. Based on data reported in Office of Technology Assessment, Managing Industrial Solid Wastes from manufacturing, mining, oil, and gas production, and utility coal combustion (OTA-BP-O-82), Feb. 1992, p.7, 10.)<\/p>\n

Not that throwing away that toaster, microwave, coffee maker, or bicycle adds up to a ton, but the point is that the ratio of 71:1 is significant. For every pound that you throw away, the equivalent of 71 pounds of discards are produced!<\/p>\n

Again, extending the life of a product has a large impact on reducing emissions.<\/p>\n

But, what do we typically do when a product stops working? We toss it and buy a new one, right? Most of us don\u2019t have the knowledge, tools, or time to fix it.<\/p>\n

This is why the Repair Caf\u00e9 is brilliant. Repair Caf\u00e9 has created a novel, community-led template for setting up a temporary repair shop that will allow citizens to bring their broken products in for repair \u2013 free of charge!<\/p>\n

Please review the Repair Caf\u00e9 website , but in essence it works like this:<\/p>\n

A community organization (often the Waste Committee) decides to organize a Repair Caf\u00e9 event and signs up with Repair Caf\u00e9 to get a kit that shows them how to do it.<\/li>\n

The organizers identify a group of volunteers that have repair skill sets in different areas \u2013 electronics, fabrics\/sewing, gluing, mechanicals, etc. They ask these volunteers to bring their \u2018tool box\u2019 and to volunteer 3-4 hours of their time on a certain day.<\/li>\n

A location is set up with tables or stations that are manned by the volunteers.<\/li>\n

The event is marketed throughout the community.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
And, bingo, many products are saved from the trash!<\/p>\n
During the event, repair volunteers will be available to mend clothing, sew buttons, sharpen scissors and knives, tinker with or rewire electronics and lamps, glue wooden furniture and ceramics, and occasionally provide computer diagnostics. These volunteers show the participants exactly what they\u2019re doing to repair their broken treasure. This is a valuable learning experience for participants to feel more confident fixing their items on their own in the future. Even if the volunteers cannot fix an item, they can provide advice to the participant or suggest a part for them to buy to fix it on their own.<\/p>\n
Below are a few more pictures from a recent Repair Caf\u00e9 in Salem (courtesy of the SalemRecycles Facebook page<\/a>)<\/p>\n
$\"Sewing$ <\/p>\n
$\"Lamp$ <\/p>\n
$\"Chair$ <\/p>\n
But, is it hard to recruit a group of volunteers that will have the variety of repair skills to support the event?<\/p>\n
Not according to Ms. Guglielmi, \u201cWe\u2019re very excited to see these events grow as more residents bring their unique items and more tinkers want to volunteer their time to repair these items. It\u2019s very rewarding to see all of the happy residents leaving the event with their repaired treasures and knowing that we have so many dedicated volunteers to make this happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, certainly there are hard data facts about the reduced emissions that result from setting up periodic Repair Cafes, but there is also a soft benefit for the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about driving community awareness. Even if people don\u2019t bring an item to be fixed, they will be more aware of the concept and the reason for running a Repair Caf\u00e9 \u2013 this will make them more aware in their daily lives and they will start to be more conscious about throwing stuff away and feeling confident they can attempt to repair an item on their own\u201d Added Ms. Guglielmi.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d love to hear from you. Are you running a Repair Caf\u00e9 in your community? Or, something similar?<\/p>\n
To understand more about how your community can be engaged and educated around the topic of Climate Change and reduced emissions, please feel free to explore our Green Community Homeowner Campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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