Repair and Reuse

What can you do?

Not that long ago, repair was a way of life. Darning a hole in a sock or a tear in a shirt was the done thing; part of a mentality of ‘make do and mend’, of valuing possessions and making sure things lasted so they could be passed on. Instead of throwing away and replacing, repair your things.

Sew your clothes

Often small repairs or alterations need only a few stitches. Look at Youtube tutorials, or try repairwhatyouwear.com for inspiration. It will save you money too. And if you have expensive or just well-loved shoes, taking them to a cobbler can be a cost effective way of extending their life.

Upcycle

Furniture upcycling is incredibly popular and you will find many groups on social media offering support and ideas. Something you were going to throw out could be given a whole new lease of life with some paint, wax or new handles.

Mend your gadgets

This might seem more challenging, and you shouldn't try to take apart or fix anything that's marked as not being fixable by the consumer. But lots of communities hold 'repair cafes' (where local offer their expertise to fix things for free or a charity donation) and the internet can guide you in simple repairs. Many electrical retailers offer a repair service too.