Share, reuse, and repair

Have a small appliance, electronic item, or piece of clothing that needs fixing? As part of our vision to be a zero waste community by 2040, the City, along with our partners, host free, convenient repair events in Vancouver to make it easier for residents to get items fixed that might otherwise end up in the landfill.

The more we can repair, reuse, and recycle, the longer products stay in circulation. 

Join us at the next repair event and fix that hole in your favourite shirt or get that reading lamp working again. You might even see your “inner repairer” come to life to help you fix your own item.

Book a repair timeslot in the event link below

General guidelines

• Maximum of one broken item per person 
• Each person bringing an item to be repaired must complete a waiver on-site.
• Visitors are encouraged to participate in the repair of their item, so there is an opportunity to learn new skills and gain confidence to attempt future repairs at home.  
• Please book your appointment in the correct category. If booked in the wrong category, there is a good chance you will not be seen.
• No drop-ins as these events are very busy.
• You must arrive early for your appointment in order to get the waiver completed before your appointment begins. If you arrive late, you will forfeit your spot. 
• Be patient, kind and respectful to our volunteer repairers and other participants. This is a free event and the repairers are volunteers. 
• Do not come to the repair event if you are sick, caring for someone who is sick, or self-isolating due to COVID.

The following items can be repaired at a repair café:

• Clothing items (no alterations)
• Cell phones (for screen replacements, new screen must be provided by attendee)
• Pillow cases and tablecloths
• Small appliances such as toasters, hair dryers, fans
• Lamps
• Electronic items
• Power bars
• Laptops
• Desktop computers
• Christmas lights
• Bicycles
• Other miscellaneous items

When booking an appointment please select the correct category or you may not be seen by one of our volunteer repairers.

Unfortunately, not all broken items can be fixed at a repair café. The volunteer repairers will do their best to diagnose and repair your broken item, but if it is unrepairable, or if the repair will take longer than your 30-minute appointment, your repair won’t be possible.  

ElectroRecycle External website, opens in new tab will be at some repair events to accept non-repairable small appliances and power tools for recycling. Click the event details to see if ElectroRecycle is participating.

The following items are not accepted for repairs:

• Furniture
• Jewelry
• Tablets
• Bags and backpacks
• Any clothing item that needs hemming or a replacement zipper
• Items that will take longer than 30 minutes to repair 

Important note If you bring an item that is not repairable to a repair event, you must take it back and dispose of the item responsibly.

Ideally, everyone who attends a zero waste fair will leave knowing at least one new way to reduce waste in their own lives.

While each zero waste fair is a little different, they could include some or all of the following activities:

• A free repair café
• Seminars and topics on waste-related topics
• Free bike tune-ups
• Education booths from a range of local organizations focused on reducing waste 
• Opportunities to learn how to reduce waste in our own lives
• A clothing swap or free swap

People bring small, portable items that are clean and in working condition to swap. Items are dropped off upon arrival, and folks can browse the free swap tables to find something they like.

• Swap it. Drop off items for others to choose from and then pick out new-to-you items dropped off by others.
• Donate it. Feel free to donate items without taking home anything new.
• Take it. Nothing to donate? No problem. Everyone is welcome to take items home – there are plenty of great finds to go around.

Size

• Each item will fit in a regular-size reusable bag – think grocery bag

Condition

• In clean, good working order

Quantity

• Bring 1 to 2 items
• Take as many as you like

• If you have them, check-in your donated items with the event organizers
• Browse the swap tables and select items you can use
• Check-out your selected items with event organizers

Information icon Donated items must be in good, clean, working condition and be small enough to fit in a regular-sized reusable grocery bag.

Accepted items	Not accepted items
​ Books ​ Clothing and accessories ​ Toys ​ Electronics ​ Art ​ Household goods ​ Music	Large items Furniture Food Personal care items Medicine Footwear Bedding, pillows, and cushions Hazardous items