Repair Repeat: Fixing Durable Goods for the Community Good
Northampton DPW’s ReUse Committee will hold a second 2017 community RePair workshop on Saturday, August 16 from 1-4 PM in the Smith Vocational High School cafeteria (80 Locust Street). City residents are invited to bring a household item or two in need of repair; a crew of handy fix-it volunteers will attempt to fix it free of charge.
We anticipate that our team of volunteer “fixers” will be able to repair items such as clothing, backpacks, and other heavy-duty sewing projects, bicycles, lamps, and small appliances, and some computer and printer repairs. Knife and garden tool sharpening will also be available (a limit of one item per customer will apply). While a limited supply of supplies and equipment will be provided via a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection grant, some projects will require participants to purchase additional supplies at a local hardware store. Voluntary donations to offset event expenses are encouraged.
America is throwing too much away and communities are attempting to turn the tide with community repair events, which build awareness and promote repair skills and repair businesses. Local enthusiasm for the movement was demonstrated during a June 10 RePair event, which was attended by over 50 community members and during which over 60 items were fixed.