Join the Repair Revolution (move on from our throwaway culture)
England is fast becoming a repair revolution country, joining similar countries abroad. Fed up of the throwaway culture (and also inspired simply from being broke!), people are going back to learning to mend things. And campaigning for items bought to be repairable.
Also read about better alternatives to toxic adhesives (still keep all glues and small parts away from children and pets.
Start your own Repair Café
The Repair Revolution is an inspiring read by two Americans who spearheaded the Repair Café movement. Unless needed new for safety, skilled volunteers are giving their time and skills, to repair things so new items are not thrown away.
In an age of over-consumption, the repair revolution is not just about fixing things: it’s about caring for our communities and planet.
Jack Wackman was a writer and TV producer who founded New York’s first repair café. Elizabeth Knight is a marketing executive who is also heavily involved in New York’s repair volunteer movement.
Good sites to find out more
HOBO (basic tool kit in protective case)
HOBO hand tool kit is a good investment for DIY jobs. For around £50, it has all the basics you need in a handy case, from a quality brand. Just like cooking tools, a few good quality DIY tools is better than hundreds of cheap ones!
What’s included in this hand tool kit?
- Multipurpose screwdriver (anti-roll surface and magnetic bit holder that’s comfortable to hold and control)
- Claw hammer with rubber cap (magnetic nail starter design, automatically collects and places nails for one-handed operation).
- 10 feet (3m) self-lock measure tape (smooth retraction with one press).
- Multipurpose needlenose plier (spring design with gripping jaws). Fast and precise action.
- Adjustable spanner (25mm extra wide jaw). Forged with strong grip.
- Bit set (10 different S2 alloy tool bits). Built to last.
Where to recycle unwanted tools
You can recycle metal tools with household recycling or at local tips. For power tools, enter your postcode at Recycle Your Electricals to find nearest recycling plants.
How to Repair Everything (a guide to fixing stuff)
How to Repair Everything is a good book to have on hand, to fix common DIY jobs (it’s a few years old so some of the repairs are no longer relevant, like mending floppy disks!) But so far no other book of its kind is on the market, and most repairs are timeless!
Use professionals for safety jobs (electrics, plumbing and gas. This book is UK-written, so info may differ for readers abroad.
What can you repair with this book? The book has a handy table of contents. Just look up what you need. Includes repair tips for mending:
- Broken heels and holes in shoes
- Torn or shrunken clothes
- Holes in jeans, laddiers in hosiery
- Broken zips and umbrellas
- Broken or scratched watches
- Scratched sunglasses
- Faulty vinyl records
- Broken computer keys
- Leaky or noisy washing machines
- Stuck or loose doors
- Leaking fridges and taps
- Broken plates and cup handles
- Damaged wall plaster
- Non-flushing toilets
- Cracked bathroom tiles
- Broken plant pots (use pet-friendly plants)
Nick Harper is an experienced journalist, who mostly works in sport. He has interviewed everyone from Tiger Woods to Usain Bolt to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
