Don't replace it - repair it!
Culture changes fast. Not long ago, there was an avid repair industry and a strong mentality of 'make do and mend'. But today's throw-away society is putting a strain on our planet, not to mention our wallets.
Let's change that.
Next time something in your home is acting up, why not see if you can fix it instead of chuck it? Not only will you be surprised how easy it can be, you’ll be amazed how satisfying it feels.
Climate Change
Extracting resources and manufacturing new gadgets creates lots of carbon. Take the iPhone 6: 85% of its entire lifecycle's carbon footprint comes from its manufacture, not from using it .1
Importing our new gadgets across the sea uses a large amount of fossil fuels too. Shipping to the UK accounts for around 3% of all the carbon emissions this country generates.
Money
This one's a no-brainer. Making things last longer saves you money because it means you don’t have to buy new things
But we won't kid you: this isn't always the case. A lot of products today aren't designed to be repaired, and the repair industry has become small and expensive. So when buying things, look for those designed with a cradle-to-cradle model ( there’s actually a certificate now) , and learn to fix things yourself.
Environment
Humans move more of the earth's rocks and sediments around than any other beast or being. We're changing the shape of our planet, significantly.
Modern gadgets like smartphones require a range of different metals and rare earths which are found across the world. These are often mined in parts of the developing world where labour and environmental standards are less than ideal. Their extraction has been implicated in human rights violations as well as environmental degradation3.
Satisfaction
On the bright side, the satisfaction you can get from fixing things shouldn't be underestimated. Try repairing instead of replacing and bask in the glory of knowing you’re the kind of person who’d survive an apocalypse movie. What’s more, the more you fix, the better you’ll get at it.
Global Goals
In September 2017, an historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'Fix it' pledge, you are contributing to the following SDG targets:
12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
How
Here are some of our favourite fixers:
- Clothes: Holes, tears, broken zippers and moth-attacks - clothes are forever getting into trouble. Seeing as ‘fast fashion’ is fast becoming, well, out of fashion, now’s the perfect time to learn how to mend the items you already own and love. There are lots of places to get help on bringing new life to your old clothes. Love Your Clothes is a great online trove of tips. If you'd rather some hands-on support, then have a google for workshops in your area. There are loads available around the country, from Stitched Up in Manchester to Thrifty Couture in London.
- General bits and bobs: Smashed a plate? Broken a handle? Snapped something off... something else? Your home is full of things that are easy to break… and easy to fix! We're massive fans of Sugru, a play-doh like rubber that sets hard and can be used to fix anything from sauce-pan lids to iPhone cables to ski boots. The encyclopedic Instructables is an amazing source of help and ideas for fixing almost anything (or turning REALLY broken things into fabulous new things).
- Electronics: iFixIt is a great site crammed with repair guides for all things tech, from toasters to PCs to trucks. If hands on training and support is what you're after, The Restart Project has you covered, running workshops on electrical repairs.
Success Stories
826
Pledges
in total
84,506kg
CO2
pledged
Images
2, 4 & 6. Do The Green Thing