A repair cafe opened in Katoomba this month, promoting repair culture where members of the community can bring in broken household items, furniture, toys, clothing, 12volt electronics, computers and bicycles to be repaired by volunteers.
The initiative is being co-ordinated by the artist-led, not-for-profit resource, Toolo, the Blue Mountains Tool Library.
Toolo volunteer organiser, Justin Morrissey, said that “consumers have the right to repair items that they have purchased, but companies often make this incredibly hard for us by not giving appropriate access or using inferior materials with the intent for them to last just past the warranty period, in order to sell more products over time”.
Blue Mountains residents produce more than 45,000 tonnes of waste per year in recycling, reuse and landfill. The Blue Mountains City Council website cites a capacity to maintain this load for only 15-20 years at current use rates.
“It’s one thing to opt for bigger rubbish bins and it’s another to shift your behaviour and take ownership of the problem you are contributing to by diverting things from landfill by trying to repair them,” said Mr Morrissey.
The repair cafe movement kicked off in Europe in 2004, and now has hundreds of repair cafes, where people come together to mend everyday items together. Customers of a repair cafe can expect to be a part of the repair of items, pay for the materials to fix the item, and make a small donation to keep the repair café going.
Most repairs will happen in two to four hours, some may take longer and can be left and picked up the following month. The repair cafe aims to reduce landfill by up to 100 tonnes every year, with the potential of thousands of repairs each year if further funding can be obtained to support the project increase opening hours.
“Many of us value well-made, long-lasting equipment that provides value for money, and yet this is the opposite of what is available, so mending items helps keep objects out of landfill and promotes a greater resilience to planned obsolescence,” said Mr Morrissey.
The repair cafe model relies on the support of volunteers and sponsors. The event is financially supported by Katoomba Bendigo Community Bank and Sydney Water, through the Give for Good program. Bunnings Katoomba have offered materials, the Blue Mountains Food Co-op is helping with administration, and Earth Recovery providing the venue pro-bono.
Business development officer, Vincent Tropiano said “Katoomba Bendigo Community Bank is committed to working with our local community groups and not for profits to provide much needed funding”.
The repair cafe will serve up delicious treats, barbecue, with tea and coffee available, while volunteer menders share their knowledge with customers, who will help in the repair.
Cafe sessions will be held every third Saturday of the month at Junction 142, Katoomba St, Katoomba. For more information visit www.toolo.com.au.