A place where broken and forgotten objects become opportunities for learning and social connection, contributing to a more sustainable future
There are places where you can bring broken objects to have them repaired. It doesn't matter if they are an iron, a hair dryer, a blender, a bicycle or an old, but still loved, toy. And they are not conventional shops where you bring purchased items that are still under warranty, they are the Repiair Cafè , meeting places where you can repair together, promoting sociality and sustainability .
The first Repair Café was founded in Amsterdam in 2009 with the aim of reducing waste and encouraging people to rethink their consumption patterns by promoting a culture of DIY and collaboration.
Anyone can bring their broken items to the Repair Cafés and count on the availability and experience of volunteers who help people identify the problem and fix it. The tools and materials needed for repairs are provided by the café itself. The goal is not only to fix items, but also to teach people how to do it themselves in the future, thus promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Today, there are over 750 Repair Cafés in 37 countries. These cafés are particularly popular in Europe, with a strong presence in the Netherlands, Germany, and France. And their popularity continues to grow, with new cafés popping up all over the world.
In Brussels , local Repair Cafés are a point of reference for the community who meet not only to repair their objects but also to create and strengthen personal bonds whose common denominator is the commitment to reducing waste and contributing to more sustainable consumption.
The Restart Project in London focuses primarily on the repair of electronic devices and regularly organizes community repair events to promote the reuse of equipment that would otherwise be thrown away and quickly replaced with new ones.
In Bologna , the RUSKO Association (Riparo Uso Scambio Comunitario) manages the local Repair Café. It is one of the first founded in Italy to promote circular economy practices and environmental sustainability.
RUSKO does not have a fixed location but organizes itinerant repair events that take place in various neighborhoods of the city, involving volunteers and local partners such as schools, community centers and parishes. These events are open to everyone and free of charge, although a voluntary contribution is always welcome to support future activities. The association, in collaboration with the Repair Cafè International Foundation of Amsterdam, not only coordinates these events, but also takes care of finding volunteers, equipment and collaborations with local authorities to ensure the success of the initiatives.
Do you want to contribute to environmental sustainability and do you like the idea of the Repair Cafè? Do you think it could be easily replicated in your city? Here is what you need.
What you need to start a Repair Café
- Form an association : create an organized group that can manage the initiative.
- Partner with local agencies : Establish partnerships with schools, community centers, and other organizations to find repair supplies and spaces to host repair events.
- Organize traveling events : Plan events in different neighborhoods to reach a wider audience.
- Engage volunteers : Recruit a group of motivated volunteers with repair skills and, if necessary, organize training sessions.
Contacts
RUSKO - Community Exchange Use Shelter
via F. Roncati, 20, Bologna, Italy
Tel.: 333 231 0251
rusko.repair@gmail.com
Photo by energepic.com from Pexels.com
