COTA SA's Climate Change Group is passionate about the actions that individuals can take, big or small, that helps to care for the planet. One of these actions is sharing stories and finding reliable sources of information that are balanced and easy to understand. Our Climate Change Group members will share stories and information that they find useful with the hope that you will find it useful too! Today, helping the environment and avoiding the frustration of dumping things then having to replace them by visiting a Repair Cafe.
Things break eventually. When this happens, the temptation is to chuck them in the bin and buy a replacement. But it’s annoying: it feels like wasting money, particularly if it’s just one small bit that doesn’t work anymore.
Over the past four years, 15 Repair Cafes have been established throughout Adelaide. They provide a free fix-it service to the community from skilled volunteers. Each year, several tonnes of broken household, garden and electrical goods are fixed at Repair Cafes rather than being dumped.
Repair cafes are now located in Aberfoyle Park, Adelaide City, Aldgate, Blackwood, Bowden Brompton, Campbelltown, Clare, Gawler, Marino, The Parks, Payneham, Strathalbyn, Tea Tree Gully, Unley and Willunga. Most are open on a weekend, once per month and are supported by Local Government grants, plus the skills of interested, skilled volunteers. Lots of interest from the community too: the Unley Repair Café, for example, reported fixing over 100 items on a recent weekend!
Behind the scenes, the Repair Café movement is also looking at tackling the big issues that need government and business support and action. In France, for example, many items now have a Repairability Index similar to the Energy stars we have in Australia on white goods.
To get details of opening times and addresses of Repair cafes near you, go to: https://www.sustainablecommunitiessa.org.au/sa-repair-cafes/
The COTA SA Climate Change Group has identified the issue of Fixing Things Rather Than Dumping Them as a significant issue for older people: it’s about reducing waste, cost and climate impact.
If you are also interested in being a volunteer repairer, contact the Repair Café directly and offer your services.
If you want to chat about this topic, please contact us via the COTA SA reception desk on 08 8232 0422 or email cotasa@cotasa.org.au.