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Reduce waste by repairing goods

Have you ever heard of the term ‘planned obsolescence’? It is the practice of designing products to become obsolete in a short period of time. It is prevalent in many industries, especially with tech such as phones. This forces consumers to keep buying replacements, which not only leads to extra spending, but also generates enormous amounts of waste across the globe.

It might seem like we’re forced into being wasteful by companies that create products with a limited shelf life. Yet from a young age, we’re taught not to be wasteful, and recently there has been a strong emphasis on making ethical and sustainable consumption choices in society in general.

Across Surrey, people are gathering to solve this problem. Community groups have come together to host Repair Cafés, to provide residents the option of repairing household items instead of replacing them. Surrey residents are taking broken items to their local repair cafés to be fixed by skilled volunteers. Some of the most established ones have helped thousands of residents to repair their household items. Farnham Repair Café is the benchmark with 5,623 visitors to date: the team has helped the residents save £219,281 by repairing instead of buying replacement items.

Repair cafés are great for extending the life of your belongings. They also offer a host of other benefits including:

  • Reducing environmental impact: By fixing items instead of replacing them, we reduce the demand for new products, conserving raw materials and reducing the environmental impact from manufacturing.
  • Saving money: Repairing items is often cheaper than buying new ones, saving you money.
  • Developing new skills: Attending repair cafés offers the opportunity to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience in fixing various items, promoting self-sufficiency.
  • Raising awareness: Repair cafés educate the public about reducing waste and conserving resources, encouraging more sustainable behaviour.
  • Mental well-being: The satisfaction of fixing something with your own hands can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.
  • Fostering a sense of community: While your goods are being repaired, you can talk to like-minded people which could lead to a community of individuals with shared values.