WE CONSUME TOO MUCH. WE USE TOO MUCH OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES & WE DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT… FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE THE RIGHT TO THAT TOO.
MARTINE POSTMA FOUNDER OF THE REPAIR CAFÉ INTERNATIONAL “
“I didn’t realise you fixed that” This is a common phrase used by new visitors to the Repair Café. It’s a testament to the marvels of our skilled team of volunteers, breathing an extended life into your items and saving them from landfill.
OUR MOST POPULAR ITEMS INCLUDE:
• Lamps
• Bicycles
• Trousers
• Vacuum Cleaners
• Coats
• Irons
• Sewings Machines
• Laptops
• Clocks
• Coffee Makers
At the Repair Cafe, we hope to play a vital role in reducing the environmental impact. COME
89%
REPAIR CAFE TEXTILES & CLOTHES HAVE THE HIGHEST REPAIR RATE
C02
REPAIRING CLOTHES CAN SAVE UP TO 2,100 POUNDS OF CO2 EMISSIONS PER YEAR PER PERSON
57%
OF ALL THE CLOTHING THROWN AWAY 57% IS SENT TO LANDFILL
86% OF BICYCLES BROUGHT TO THE REPAIR CAFE ARE SUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED
1/3
OF ALL BICYCLE REPAIRS IN THE REPAIR CAFÉ ARE REGARDING THE TYRES
EVERY 1,000 BICYCLES REPAIRED PREVENTS AN ESTIMATED 15 METRIC TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS
TOP 3
TOASTER REPAIRS ARE IN THE TOP 3 POPULAR ITEMS THAT REPAIR CAFE REGULARLY FIX
90%
REPAIRING CAN SAVE UP TO 90% OF THE ENERGY REQUIRED TO PRODUCE A NEW ONE
1.45M
APPROX 1.45 MILLION TONNES OF ELECTRONIC WASTE IS GENERATED ANNUALLY
30% OF CLOCKS BROUGHT TO THE REPAIR CAFÉ ARE VINTAGE OR ANTIQUE PIECES
These heirlooms often require delicate restoration work
This includes movement repair and cleaning, to ensure they continue to tick for generations to come
20% OF REPAIRS ON WATCHES INVOLVE ADJUSTING OR REPLACING WATCHBANDS
In a busy, fast paced, world often characterised by disposable consumerism, the Repair Café emerges as a beacon of sustainability and community spirit.
By extending the lifespan of products through repair rather than replacement, it directly combats the throwaway culture perpetuated by mass production. This not only reduces waste but also conserves resources and minimises the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new goods.
At the Repair Cafe, our volunteers and fixers generously share their time, skill and knowledge in all kinds of fields.
By participating in repairing rather than replacing items, you directly contribute to reducing waste and environmental impacts.
In an society where, as a local community and individuals, we may be facing economic challenges and uncertainties, learning practical repair skills can be invaluable for stretching resources and promoting financial independence.
Your local Repair Café can offer you the chance to enact positive change, with the possibility to learn valuable skills from cross-generational connections and contribute to a more sustainable future and community.
35%
SEAM REINFORCEMENT & STITCHING ACCOUNTS FOR APPROX 35% OF ALL CUDDLY TOY REPAIRS
100 YEARS+
REPAIRING TOYS HELPS
MINIMISE THE AMOUNT OF NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTE THAT ENDS UP IN LANDFILL
Most are made from materials such as plastic, metal, and fabric, which can take hundreds of years to decompose
HP, ACER, & ASUS ARE THE MOST POPULAR LAPTOP BRANDS THAT GET REPAIRED
TOP-5 COMMON LAPTOP PROBLEMS
1. BATTERY CHANGE/DEFECT
2. HARDWARE FAILURE
3. USB PORTS BROKEN
4. SOFTWARE UPDATES
5. STARTING UP ISSUES
REPAIRING & REFURBISH CAN HELP CONSERVE VALUABLE RESOURCES (METALS, MINERALS & PLASTICS) USED IN THEIR MANUFACTURING
40% OF THE SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS THAT ARE BROUGHT ARE SUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED
VACUUM CLEANERS “
VACUUM CLEANERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST REGULAR ITEMS BOUGHT TO THE REPAIR CAFE
64% SUCCESS RATE IN REPAIRING VACUUM CLEANERS & SIMILAR APPLIANCES
14,498 VACUUM CLEANER REPAIRS IN THE UK FROM 2017 - 2024
80%
REPAIR CAFE DIVERTS OVER 80% OF POTENTIALLY DISCARDED LIGHT FIXTURES FROM HAZARDOUS WASTE STREAMS EACH YEAR
REPAIRING A SINGLE LAMP CAN SAVE UP TO 30 KG OF CO2 EMISSIONS COMPARED TO PURCHASING A NEW ONE
70%
REPAIR CAFE REPORTS A GOOD SUCCESS RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 70% FOR LAMPS & LIGHT FIXTURES
“
A LOT OF THINGS IN OUR SOCIETY ARE SO CHEAP IN MONETRY TERMS BUT ITS NOT CHEAP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
EVERY PIECE TAKES A LOT OF CARBON FOOTPRINT TO PRODUCE & THERE IS SOMETHING INHERANTLY CORRECT THAT WE JUST THROW IT AWAY.
GINKO CHING LEE CO- FOUNDER OF THE REPAIR CAFÉ TAIWAN