Two upcoming Repair Cafes will give the public a chance to see if they want it around in the long term.
South Canterbury Sustainable Trust trustee Rhys Taylor said when a one-off Repair Cafe had been hosted at the Eco Centre recently, the organisation had liked what it had seen .
It had committed to two more events in the near future, Mr Taylor said.
‘‘If there is enough interest for those events it will become a regular feature.’’
However, it hoped to make a few alterations to the event, including searching for people with more diverse skills.
While it had had some help from people who could work with fabric and wood, the cafe hoped to find someone who could work a 3D printer, he said.
The trust could get hold of a printer, but they needed someone to run it.
It would be helpful if the cafe could make — with the aid of a 3D printer — plastic cogs, door handles and drawer handles.
‘‘All those small items that could keep devices and equipment functioning longer.’’
It was also hunting for someone with computer knowledge who could inspect and clean a computer and do simple maintenance ‘‘like cleaning dust off a fan’’.
‘‘If a $10 replacement fan could get a computer working again, then why not fix it?’’
Organisers were also searching for a person with bicycle maintenance skills.
Bicycles bought from the Crow’s Nest could potentially be wheeled over to the Repair Cafe to get minor fixes, Mr Taylor said.
It needed someone able to do basic things like lubrication, fixing punctures and fitting stands.
‘‘Our aim is to keep items out of the landfill and in good use.’’
As for the more substantial problems, it hoped to give advice or referrals.
He felt that referrals were a big part of the event; the main goal was to be able to give people advice on where to go or who to contact to get their item fixed.
A small donation would be given to volunteers for items they repaired.
There would be simple catering available in case there was a wait to see a professional, Mr Taylor said.
If there were any local businesses that wanted to use the Repair Cafe to display how they upholstered furniture or restored items, he would be happy to speak to them about offering space to showcase that, he said.
‘‘In retail, the message is so often get the latest, get new and throw away the old . . . but we are burning up the planet.
‘‘You have to show people what is possible.’’
There would be someone available who tagged and tested appliances at The Crow’s Nest and who would be available to give advice on electronics which had stopped working.
The owner of an old hairdryer, for example, would be advised if it was repairable ‘‘and if it was safe’’, he said.
‘‘Or they might be able to help for a quick fix.’’
Otherwise they would be advised of where to recycle it.
Many residents were not aware that electronics were not to be dumped at the landfill, but to be deposited in an allocated space at the drop-off zone, as they could be recycled, Mr Taylor said.
As for himself, Mr Taylor would be demonstrating at one of the cafes how to make mosaic pavers for the garden.
Organisers were also looking for additional people to offer safe children’s activities.
The aim, in a single use society, was: ‘‘To move from a throwaway mentality to — at least — an interest in repairing and re-using, and if all else fails, recycling’’.
