Repair Cafes Teach Fixing Over Replacing
Community workshops combat disposable culture through skill-sharing.
Repair cafes are spreading globally as communities create spaces for fixing broken items. Volunteer experts help people repair electronics, clothing, furniture, and appliances rather than discarding them.
The movement directly challenges disposable consumer culture. Repairing extends product life while reducing waste and resource consumption.
Skill-sharing is as important as the repairs themselves. Participants learn techniques they can apply to future repairs, building self-reliance and confidence.
Social benefits include community building across age and background. People connect over shared projects while older generations transmit practical knowledge.
The cafes demonstrate that many "broken" items need only minor fixes. Manufacturers often design products that could easily be repaired but lack available parts or documentation.
