The EPA’s national Circular Economy Conference will be held at the Aviva Stadium on 27 September. This hybrid event will be an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the circular economy and the opportunities and challenges in implementing a circular economy in Ireland.
Our own Jeffrey Roe will be speaking at the conference in the afternoon session on Local Circular Solutions. Jeffrey will be covering the work and the impact of our Repair cafes.
Repair Cafes are community-driven initiatives that promote repair and reuse as essential components of a circular economy. Through these cafes, individuals can learn how to repair household items, electronics, and various other possessions, thereby extending their lifespan and reducing the environmental footprint associated with consumerism. Jeffrey will undoubtedly share inspiring stories and insights about how our Repair Cafes have not only contributed to waste reduction but have also fostered a sense of community and empowerment among participants.
Dublin Maker takes the form of a “show and tell” experience where inventors/makers sourced through an open call, will have an opportunity to showcase their creations in a carnival atmosphere. It is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the maker movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, authors and commercial exhibitors. They are of all ages and backgrounds, coming from all over Ireland and beyond. Saturday 2nd of September 2023 10 am – 6 pm, Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 YY05
This year there will be over 40 exhibitors and we are one of them.
We are running a repair café – a community gathering place where people can bring their broken items, such as appliances, clothing, bicycles, or electronics, to be repaired by skilled volunteers for free. The idea behind repair cafes is to promote sustainability and reduce waste by encouraging people to repair and reuse their belongings instead of throwing them away. We regularly run a repair café in our own space in Bluebell, and we want to bring it to Dublin Maker to teach people about repair and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
We will also show off some other projects that our members have made – for example, we are planning to have a hot air balloon, a light-up sculpture visualising network traffic, interactive games for visitors…
Last Sunday’s Repair Café was a smashing hit, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible turnout and enthusiasm from the community! With 27 diverse items seeking a second chance, the event was an exciting mix of lamps, toasters, sewing machines, clothing, radios, and even drones – a true testament to the power of repair and resourcefulness.
🔧 19 Items Restored, A Brighter Future Ahead: Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our skilled volunteers, 19 items were successfully fixed and reunited with their owners. Witnessing these items head home, ready to serve their purpose for many more years to come, filled us with immense joy. Each repair was a small but impactful step towards a more sustainable world.
🛠️ Encouraging Future Fixes: For the 5 items that required spare parts beyond our current stock, we encouraged their owners to join us at our next Repair Café at Dublin Maker in Richmond Barracks on the 2nd of September. We’ll be thrilled to assist them in installing the new parts, ensuring their beloved belongings are given the attention they deserve.
💔 A Farewell to 3 Items: While it’s disheartening to bid farewell to 3 items that have reached their end of life, we remain optimistic about their impact on recycling efforts. We ensure these items will be responsibly recycled, contributing to the circular economy and minimizing waste.
🌟 Dublin Maker: The Next Repair Café Stop 🌟 Mark your calendars for the upcoming Repair Café at Dublin Maker in Richmond Barracks on the 2nd of September! We’re eager to welcome old friends and new faces as we continue our journey of promoting sustainability, resourcefulness, and the joy of repair.
Thank you to each and every one of you who made the last Repair Café an extraordinary success. Your passion for sustainability and community engagement drives us forward. Together, let’s create a greener, more resilient future, one repair at a time!
Stay tuned for more updates, and we can’t wait to see you at Dublin Maker in September! 🛠️🌱
Do you have broken items at-home – clothes, small appliances, toys, electronics?
No need to throw them away! Save your things from the landfill and your wallet from having to replace them.
Bring them to our repair café and learn how to fix them together with our volunteers. We have tools, materials, space to work on your item, and repair experts who will help you with your repair.
A repair cafe is a community gathering place where people can bring their broken items, such as appliances, clothing, bicycles, or electronics, to be repaired by skilled volunteers for free. The idea behind repair cafes is to promote sustainability and reduce waste by encouraging people to repair and reuse their belongings instead of throwing them away.
At a repair cafe, visitors can learn how to repair their items themselves or watch and learn from the volunteers. Repair cafes also offer a social atmosphere where people can connect with others who share their interest in repairing, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability.
Our passionate team of skilled volunteers will be on hand to help you fix everything from electronics and appliances to furniture and clothing, all while sharing valuable repair skills and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
At our Repair Café , you can:
Learn essential repair techniques from our expert makers and volunteers
Discover the joy of fixing things and reducing waste in a collaborative, community-focused environment
Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and the maker movement
So grab your broken treasures and join us for a day of mending, learning, and connection at Tog Hackerspace Repair Café. Together, we can build a more sustainable future and celebrate the power of repair!
Tog members will be on hand to show you around the space – come and enjoy a tea or coffee and a tour while you wait!
If we can’t fix your items, we will do our best to make suggestions on where to get spare parts or the best recycling options for you to continue your journey of repair.
What objects can you bring in?
Clothes and accessories
Toys
Small electrical appliances and electronics
Small furniture … and many other things! Safety (PAT) testing for electrical devices will be available.
We are teaming up with Fingal Makerspace and Make Create Innovate to host a repair cafe in Blanchardstown. The aim is to bring together skilled volunteers and community members who want to repair their broken household items.
Our passionate team of skilled volunteers will be on hand to help you fix everything from electronics and appliances to furniture and clothing, all while sharing valuable repair skills and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
At our Repair Café , you can:
Learn essential repair techniques from our expert makers and volunteers
Discover the joy of fixing things and reducing waste in a collaborative, community-focused environment
Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and the maker movement
So grab your broken treasures and join us for a day of mending, learning, and connection at Fingal Makerspace Repair Café. Together, we can build a more sustainable future and celebrate the power of repair!
Our own Nadja Deininger was interviewed recently on The Green Room. A weekly Saturday radio show on Dublin City FM. Nadja spoke about our work with Repair Cafe and the circular economy.
