Project Overview
Repair cafes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer a solution to the ever-growing problem of waste and landfill, by encouraging people to repair, recycle and renew their broken items instead of throwing them away.
The Fixatorium, a design studio located in Walthamstow, held a repair cafe stall at the 17&Central mall during Repair Week 2023.
The event provided an opportunity for residents of Waltham Forest to engage with the concept of the circular economy. During the event, Sean, a resident "fixer" from The Fixatorium, was on hand to help the public recycle, repair, and renew their broken objects.
The event also saw the collaboration between The Fixatorium and The Tool Shed makerspace located at the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum. The new partnership is an exciting development for both organizations and will enable them to host more repair cafes in the future.
One of the most exciting aspects of the event was the use of a 3D printer to repair items that required replacement parts. This technology is becoming increasingly accessible, and it's great to see it being used for sustainable purposes. The event was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of repairing items instead of discarding them and to promote the concept of the circular economy. It's events like these that will help us to build a more sustainable future.
Our Contributions
Sean's expertise in repairing broken items was not limited to just fixing them with traditional methods. He also utilized his knowledge of 3D modeling and printing to design and produce replacement parts for items that were brought in for repair. Using an iPad, he created 3D models for the parts that needed replacing and printed them on location, on-demand.
This innovative approach is more ecological than ordering mass-produced parts from overseas, as it reduces transportation and shipping costs, and also minimizes waste by producing only what is needed.
In addition to promoting sustainable repair practices, The Fixatorium also made a conscious effort to minimize their carbon footprint during the event. The stall was transported by eCargo bike, which is a great example of how low carbon footprints can be a key consideration in the process of repairing. By using this mode of transportation, The Fixatorium not only reduced their environmental impact but also promoted a greener way of doing business.
