Did you know?
Each person in the UK produces about 400 kg of waste each year, with around165 kg going to landfill sites where it presents a significant source of pollution.
Landfill creates waste liquid called leachate, that pollutes surrounding soil and rivers, and affects wildlife.
But we can reduce landfill, and the pollution, just by repairing broken household items, says Billie Bachra, who runs the Lambs Lane repair cafe.
Often we don’t because:
It costs too much to have the lawn mower/vacuum cleaner/toaster/laptop repaired
We don’t have the skills to repair or know what parts are required.
We can’t wait to have it repaired; we need it now.
Or we’d prefer to treat ourselves to a new item, and can’t be bothered to have it repaired.
Repair Cafes can help overcome these obstacles.
Wokingham and Reading already have six, open for mending, and a chat.
Organisers gratefully accept donations to cover running costs, but because repair cafes are run by volunteers, there are no labour costs.
Fixers can give advice on which parts are needed for a repair, and explain what it involves.
And helping with their repair, people can learn new skills and gain a better understanding of how things work.
We can all save money, reduce landfill and leachate, improve our rivers and help wildlife – just by popping into a repair cafe.”
Billie’s Repair Cafe at Lambs Lane Primary School, Spencers Wood is open on Sunday, April 27, from 10am until 1pm.
For information, visit: spencerswoodrepaircafe.co.uk
