Here’s an intriguing idea. If you’ve got something broken, get it fixed. Who hasn’t got a clunky vacuum cleaner that used to suck – and now doesn’t suck much at all? Or maybe that pair of pants with a little tear? Maybe you’ve got no sewing skills and though they only cost $10, you DO love them. It could cost $15 to have them sewn up at an alterations shop but is it worth it? Perhaps your child has a wooden toy with a wonky wheel and you haven’t got a clue how to un-wonk it.
These days, it’s generally easier to chuck out things that don’t work and buy something new. But in the spirit of repair, reuse and recycle, in Holland, a recent initiative called Repair Café brings together those people with things they’d like to repair with those who like to repair them. For free! http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world/europe/amsterdam-tries-to-change-culture-with-repair-cafes.html?_r=1
There are plenty of people in the Canberra region with great and varied skills who are just itching to use them. Blokes from Men’s Sheds, unofficial sewing circles and budding electrical engineers may want to lend a hand and show off their skills. Is anyone interested in exploring this idea?