SUBMITTED BY TRANSITION SALT SPRING
Transition Salt Spring is gearing up for another year of community empowerment and environmental stewardship with the return of the Repair Cafe in 2025.
The first event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Meaden Hall. This event promises to be a fantastic experience for Salt Spring Islanders eager to mend their beloved but broken belongings.
The Repair Cafe offers a unique opportunity for residents to bring in malfunctioning small appliances, electronics, garments of all kinds in need of hemming, patching, darning and mending, and pretty well anything else you can carry in. Spearheaded by Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Coach Program, the heart of this initiative is the dedicated team of 30 or so skilled, committed volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise. From fixing toasters, lamps and stereos to mending sweaters, pants and purses, these “fixers” strive to breathe new life into items that might otherwise be discarded. Without our volunteers there would be no Repair Cafe.
Andria Scanlan, Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Action coach and Lighter Living program lead, underscores the significance of this event in fostering a culture of sustainability and community resilience.
“We have been indoctrinated that once something doesn’t work anymore, the only option is to throw it away! We discard so many things because some portion is broken and we lack the means to repair them,” Scanlan stated passionately. “It hasn’t always been this way. There was a time when new items came with service manuals, you could take them apart and fix them yourself, or find a shop that would do it for you. That isn’t the case anymore. Big business and capitalism continue to build in obsolescence and tell us to buy new now. We are ruining our planet. When we all make small changes — which we must — the cumulative impact can be monumental.”
Scanlan also proudly highlights the skill of Salt Spring’s Repair Cafe volunteers: “Our fixers have an incredible 90 per cent success rate on the well over 300 items brought in last year, which exceeds the global average of 80 per cent.”
The Repair Cafe operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with each participant allowed to bring two items for repair (one textile/clothing item and one household item). While the services are free, donations are welcomed to support ongoing sustainability efforts. Tools and materials are provided onsite to ensure a seamless repair process, while also giving attendees an educational glimpse into the art of fixing.
Beyond its practical benefits, the Repair Cafe seeks to forge connections across generations and backgrounds, celebrating the wealth of knowledge within the community.
“Repairing things together strengthens our neighbourhood bonds and island resiliency,” Scanlan added.
This ethos of collaboration reflects the origins of the Repair Cafe movement, which began in Amsterdam in 2009 and has since spread globally. On Salt Spring, the initiative has been supported by a Capital Regional District waste reduction program grant and, more recently, by the 100 Men Who Care Salt Spring chapter.
In addition to reducing waste and minimizing carbon footprints, the Repair Cafe helps participants save money and conserve resources. By demonstrating the joy and simplicity of repairing items, the event champions a sustainable lifestyle accessible to all.
As Salt Spring Islanders prepare to gather at Meaden Hall, they are invited to participate not only in fixing their possessions but also in contributing to a brighter, more connected community. Whether it’s learning a new skill or finding renewed value in cherished belongings, the Repair Cafe offers a pathway to sustainable living and collective empowerment.
For more information and updates on the Repair Cafe, visit Transition Salt Spring’s website or join the conversation on social media. Together, let’s repair, reuse and reimagine a future where every item gets a second chance.