Items including a 64-year-old push-along dog toy and a 62-year-old ironing board were given a new lease of life by Bedford Repair Cafe’s volunteer fixers last month, preventing 74kg of waste.
The Repair Cafe started life in 2016, with a mission to help Bedfordians repair and reuse their broken or discarded items. From bikes to belts, lamps to leaf-blowers, there’s (almost) nothing that the fixers can’t turn their hands to.
The voluntary group aims to show people it’s possible to repair items which would otherwise go into landfill, with fixers ranging from retirees to teachers and engineers- all enthusiastic tinkerers. Volunteers offer their time for free, but donations help to cover running costs.
The repair day on 22 October, at The Place Theatre, saw 74kg of waste prevented, which equates to stopping 404kg of CO2 emissions – that’s the same amount as watching TV for 29 days* – with members of the public discovering how to replace simple spare parts and undertake sewing repairs.
By incredible coincidence – or an example of planned obsolescence – two identical problems on two identical digital radios were brought in by two different members of the public at exactly the same time.
Organiser, Katie Allen, said: “Not only have we saved people money, but we have had important conversations about how manufacturers make repair difficult, forcing consumers into a cycle of consumption.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has been frustrated about how things aren’t made how they used to be. It’s simply a money-making trick.”
The Repair Cafe has recently announced its support from the Queen’s Park Community Organisation (QPCO), to help them run more events and help more people in Bedford.
“Although this was our last event of 2022, we have big plans for 2023 and will be touring different venues across Bedford,” said Katie.
Marie-Ange Comerford-Raillon, director of QPCO said: “We are delighted that Bedford Repair café has agreed to be part of our capacity-building project.
“Our aims and objectives are to support groups to become sustainable as well as help them reach different target audiences.
“We have put a plan together and we will help Bedford repair café to tour Bedford.”
Volunteer repairer, Daniel, an engineer, had some advice for anyone wanting to extend the life of their things. “Simple maintenance and care of your possessions will help them last longer,” he said.
“Keeping your bike out of the rain, oiling a sewing machine, cleaning the filters in your vacuum cleaner… these will all save you money in the long run.”
You can keep up to date with Bedford Repair Cafe on their Facebook page.
*statistics calculated by Restart Project’s Fixometer.
