DON'T DISCARD1 IT – FIX IT!
Open the trash bins on any city street, and you will probably see plenty of things that still work. Broken lamps, old phones and torn2 jeans are thrown out daily, and most of them are buried in landfills3. Often, all that is wrong with them is something minor, such as a loose wire or a missing button. Researcher Helen Carter is not surprised by this. "New products cost far less today than they did 30 years ago," she explains. "So people see little point in fixing them. Buying a replacement is simpler, and as a result, many repair shops have gone out of business."(lines 1–6)
Lately, though, experts have come to agree that we should repair whatever we can. "Research shows that a family can save a great deal of money by fixing an old item rather than replacing it," Carter says. "That matters now, when prices keep going up and many families are struggling to pay their bills. Besides, when we repair something with our own hands, we feel a sense of satisfaction4 and feel proud."(lines 7–11)
Many communities are therefore searching for ways to make repairs easier. Since so few repair shops are left, they have come up with some creative ideas. One of them is to offer free online videos that show how to fix common items. More recently, towns around the world have started holding events called "repair cafés." There, volunteers with practical skills help visitors fix items they have brought from home. You might find one in a community center on a Saturday morning, or in a school hall that is empty in the evening. Entry is free, and no one needs to book in advance.(lines 12–17)
Repair cafés come in many forms. Some deal only with clothes or bicycles; others also take toys, lamps and small kitchen appliances5. "Volunteers don't just fix things for visitors - they fix them together," Carter explains. "That way, people can learn how to sew on a button or replace a broken bike part on their own."(lines 18–21)
The events are organized and run by local libraries, or by organizations that hope to cut down on waste. Some visitors later become volunteers themselves, once they feel confident enough to help others. They might return, for instance, to pass on a skill they have picked up at an earlier event. "Many volunteers are retired6, and they often work alongside teenagers who are eager to learn," Carter says. "So these events are about far more than fixing things. They also help bring different generations together."(lines 22–27)