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Fight the throwaway culture and get it fixed

Zero Waste Sooke hosts first-ever Repair Cafe on May 27

Wonky bike wheel? Broken zipper on a favourite jacket? A toaster that won’t pop?

Help is on the way.

Zero Waste Sooke hosts its first-ever Repair Cafe next weekend.

Volunteer repair experts equipped with tools and knowledge will gather downstairs at the Sooke Community Hall on Saturday (May 27) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their mission: To ensure that as many malfunctioning local household items as possible are repaired and put back into productive use. Bonus: It’s free of charge.

Anything that is broken is fair game – lamps, hair dryers, clothes, electronic appliances, furniture, bikes, toys and crockery included.

“We trash mountains of stuff on this planet and it’s got to stop,” said Zero Waste coordinator Wendy O’Connor. “Many people have forgotten that they can have things repaired or have been convinced by manufacturers that its somehow easier to buy the latest, greatest models. These cafes are a fantastic reminder that we can maintain our possessions over the long term.”

Volunteer experts confirmed so far include Wendy and Paula Johanson (fabrics), Bernie Klassen and Elgin Ambrose (wood products), Garrath Morgan and his dad Chris (small appliances), and Cast Iron Farm‘s Jeremy Newell. Additional volunteer fixers are welcome.

Other attractions on May 27 include Mike Russell and his 10-year-old son Kasian who will host bike repair clinics for adults and kids respectively. Marion Pettinger will offer mini-workshops on kombucha. Triston Line from the EMCS Robotics Division and the school’s Makerspace planning team will introduce 3D printing.

There will also be a fun work station where youngsters can safely participate in building their own takeaway bat houses.

As Victoria’s Habitat Acquisition Trust has noted, bat populations on southern Vancouver Island are in decline and these dark knights need our help.

Repair Cafes have become increasingly popular around the world since the first was held in Amsterdam in 2009. Several now take place regularly on Vancouver Island and this will be the debut cafe in Sooke.

O’Connor noted the cafes also promote skill training as experts share their know-how with those keen to learn.

“It’s an ongoing learning process for everyone involved,” she said. “If you have nothing to repair, you’re still welcome to drop in, check things out and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Better still, you might be handy enough that you can help out with someone else’s repair job.”

For more information, please contact Wendy O’Connor at 250-361-6965, or visit www.facebook.com/ZWSooke.