Upcycling and revitalising repair skills in Belfast’s Repair Café
Repair Cafés provide a quirky remedy needed to move away from a throw-away society and one has just launched in Belfast. The volunteer ran café advocates for a circular economy - to minimise waste through maximising existing resources achieved through extending and revitalising the lifecycle of an item. The initiative encourages upcycling and repair skills which act as a way of inspiring people to become more mindful before they throw an item away. At the same time they are reviving repair skills which have been lost through the popularity and reliance on disposable items.
The café invites people to come in with their broken items and what they describe as an “experienced amateur” i.e. someone with woodwork experience, a D.I.Y enthusiast or a computer engineer, will inspect the broken item, carry out a repair, or show you how to fix it yourself. If there isn’t enough time or capacity to fix the product, volunteers will provide advice and tips on finding a professional repairer. Thus the product avoids the landfill and the person gets their item fixed for free, learns a new skill or will turn to a local business to fix the item.
The repair café invites people to bring in items ranging from small electronics; computers with simple problems; toys with broken wheels; torn clothes, missing buttons, broken zips; small items of furniture; bicycles; books; or other household items. In addition they invite all those with skills which can be passed on to get involved and invites everyone to come in and have a look or stop in for a cup of tea/coffee and a bun - with all proceeds going to the next event.
Other than the benefit brought by encouraging waste minimisation, they provide a strong social function. The event provides a free inclusive social space for a variety of different people of different ages to meet, socialise and exchange knowledge on reparation skills (and perhaps other sustainability tips). The most recent repair café event coupled up with local Tinderbox Theatre Company to do a very apt showing of The Man Who Fell To Pieces - a comedy of a man physically falling to pieces who tries to put himself back together again using DIY products. The performance aims to shine a light on mental health issues, particularly in Northern Ireland, whilst at the same time celebrating what it means to be human ‘cracks and all’.
The repair café partnered with Tinderbox Theatre Company offers a refreshing and creative example of how a pop up event can highlight, stimulate and inspire circular economies whilst having a social and economic consideration; offering a holistic and inventive approach to sustainability.
The pop-up Café which held its first operational event on the 9th of December; changes location and occurs irregularly so those interested should keep an eye on their social media and website for upcoming events:
To access Repair Café’s Facebook page for upcoming events click here.
For more information on Repair Café’s click here for their website.
Sustainable Northern Ireland gets involved with #INFRA2018 in the month of March with the aim of supporting the zero waste initiative. NI Year of Infrastructure is a campaign which will show the public that infrastructure connects and protects, enables investment and tourism, and builds our quality of life. Is a grassroots campaign to convince the public that infrastructure transforms their lives. It is a chance for everyone involved in delivering infrastructure to tell the story of how they make Northern Ireland a liveable home.