NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA REPAIR CAFE
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Community members will be coming together this month to host the Repair Café for the second time in 2024, following up on the April event that was a huge success! This is the seventh event in Orillia since it began locally in 2018.
A total of 234 kg of potential waste was diverted from the landfill in the last event and organizers are hoping that more will be saved this time especially since the event has gained traction.
This free and unique “pop up” community event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. James Anglican Church and is being supported by Sustainable Orillia and Lake Country Time Trade.
In previous events, a diverse assortment of items found renewed purpose through repairs. Pants hemmed, computer glitches fixed, and wobbly furniture legs stabilized, in addition to toys, small gadgets, lamps and personal belongings brought back to life were some of the over 70 activities that saw people leave with a smile.
“Repair cafes play a vital role in fostering community by promoting sustainability… our goal is to reduce waste by repairing and mending items rather than disposing of them,” says Annalise Stenekes, a member of the Repair Café volunteer planning team.
“Additionally, the Repair Café highlights local resources, supporting small businesses and artisans while encouraging creative problem-solving and innovation,” she said.
People are invited to bring items that are broken or need mending and volunteer "fixers" will try to repair those items. Volunteers with a variety of skills will be offering their help to turn would-be “trash” into “treasure”.
Handy volunteers will be on site to attempt repairs for the following:
- Electronics (DVD players, stereos, computer hardware, etc.).
- Electrical items (hair dryers, kitchen appliances, etc.).
- General repairs
- Household items (fans, lamps etc.)
- Jewellery
- Sewing/fabrics/mending (basic mending like patches, zippers, hems)
- Toys
- And more!
Light refreshments will be available and the event, which will also feature activities for children. Although there is no cost to have the items repaired, the organizers will accept donations to help keep the event ongoing.
“This event facilitates skill sharing, allowing participants to learn and teach valuable repair techniques. In turn, this enhances individual confidence and competence. As people gather to work on their belongings, they build connections and strengthen community bonds, creating a supportive environment,” said Stenekes.
“By shifting attitudes away from consumerism and promoting mindful consumption, these gatherings not only empower individuals but also contribute to a more resilient and collaborative community,” she added.
Commenting on the event, Sarah Patterson, President of Sustainable Orillia, said: "The reason we are so enthusiastic about the Repair Café is because it combines several of our most important mandates: It is building awareness around the importance of reusing and repairing items rather than replacing them, it is giving people a sense of agency that there are choices they can make that really do matter, all while connecting people in the community so we can begin to remember how to lean upon one another's strengths and genuinely show up for each other as a collective."
Abdulaziz Khattak, an energy journalist and sustainability advocate, was fascinated by the concept. He and his family are reminded of the last event every time they look at the curtains in their apartment that they got cut to size and hemmed.
“I have read a lot about sustainability events, but this was my first time seeing it in action. Most of us will be quick to trash our stuff because we think it’s beyond repair," said Khattak.
"Most of the time, it’s that odd screw missing or a detached wire. I think events like the Repair Café need the support of the city and the community at large as it not only helps extend the life of our landfill but also casts the city in a positive light,” he said.
The repair cafe concept started in Amsterdam in 2009 when Martine Postma was feeling frustrated with society's "throw away" culture and decided to take action. Repair Cafe events are now run across the world saving money, reducing landfill waste, cutting CO2 emissions, promoting learning and fostering community connections.
What: Orillia Repair Café
When: Saturday Oct. 26, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Check in closes at 2:30 p.m.
Where: St. James’ Anglican Church, 58 Peter St. N., Orillia
Cost: Free (Goodwill donations to cover costs will be gratefully accepted)
More info: [email protected]
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