The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. (file photo)
There’s a volunteer effort starting in Owen Sound this spring that will try to reduce waste, by offering free repairs.
The Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library is partnering with the Georgian Bluffs Climate Action Team to host what they’re calling a Repair Cafe.
People will be able to bring various handheld items to the cafe to be repaired as opposed to throwing that item away.
The repairs can range from electronics, sewing projects, furniture, and bikes.
Representative of the Repair Cafe and member of the climate action team Danuta Valleau says this international concept will be entirely volunteer run.
“It really is related to climate change in the effect that it is a way that we have come to live our lives as contributing to waste and unsustainable practices. Going forward, it’s a way to raise awareness in communities about these problems and try and bring back some of the roll in communities to help each other with repairing things and creating a more sustainable lifestyle,” says Valleau.
She says the free cafe is not intended to infringe on any repair businesses. The key difference with this cafe is the person who brings in the item they wish repaired, must be there and participate.
“This initiative embodies our commitment to sustainability and community engagement. It’s an opportunity for us all to come together, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster a culture of resourcefulness,” says Valleau.
She says they are currently in the organizational phase before the cafe opens in the basement of the library, where refreshments will also be available.
To get the cafe up and running for their projected opening date on March 9, Valleau says they are in need of volunteers who don’t need to be experts.
“We need volunteer fixers, people with skills and that can be anything from sewing and mending to repairing small motors, to putting something back together,” says Valleau. “Because it’s volunteer driven, it’s nice to get experts but there are many people around who are just good at fixing things.”
She adds they will also need volunteers to help run the cafe.
The cafe will be open the second Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer can email the cafe at gbosrepaircafe@gmail.com.
