Regina’s Repair Café Thrives, Fixing 69% of Broken Items

UPDATE: The Repair Café in Regina is making headlines as it continues to help residents fix their broken items, with 69% of repairs successfully completed during its latest event at the Heritage Market on Saturday. This monthly initiative, which gained momentum thanks to a sponsorship from Affinity Credit Union, has become a vital resource for the community, promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

Residents flocked to the Repair Café, bringing in everything from appliances to clothing and electronics. Launched just three years ago, the program has transformed from a single annual event to a thriving monthly gathering, reflecting a growing commitment to reducing waste and fostering a culture of repair.

Rob Deglau, chair of the EnviroCollective Network, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “We’re in environmental networking, so our job is to disseminate information around climate action and recycling.” The café’s success has been so significant that they decided to expand their offerings this year after realizing more people were attending than at their other events.

The most common request is for garment repairs, but electronics are also a major focus. Residents sign up online in advance to allow technicians to prepare for specific repairs. Typically, these repairs take between 30 minutes and two hours, making it a convenient option for busy individuals.

Technicians like Jacob Picard, who joined last month, are dedicated to fixing electronics. Picard, inspired by a childhood experience fixing a PlayStation 3 remote, has tackled a variety of projects, including an Xbox One S and a PS5 controller. “What keeps me pushing through is just the excitement of it,” he shared.

Alongside Picard is Josh Johnston, also a new technician, who has been fixing things since childhood. Johnston recalled how he learned to repair items after breaking them, noting, “I like to tinker and take things apart.” He emphasized the value of repair over replacement, saying, “In the end, you could get a new coffeemaker for $20, or we could spend an hour trying to fix the one that you have broken.”

This growing movement not only assists residents in salvaging their belongings but also significantly contributes to environmental sustainability by keeping items out of landfills. The Repair Café’s impact is clear, and the community is responding with enthusiasm.

As the Repair Café continues to gain traction, residents are encouraged to participate in these monthly events, which not only save money but also promote a more sustainable lifestyle. With the next event already scheduled, locals are urged to mark their calendars and take part in this important initiative.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Repair Café and its ongoing efforts to empower Regina residents through repair and sustainability.