Share, reuse, and repair

Have a small appliance, electronic item, or piece of clothing that needs fixing?

Repair cafés support waste reduction by helping extend the life of everyday products. The more we repair and reuse, the longer items stay in circulation and the less waste we generate.

At a repair café, you can get help fixing things like a favourite shirt or a reading lamp. You might even see your “inner repairer” come to life as you learn how to fix your own item.

Repair cafés in Vancouver are hosted by community organizations, including the Society for Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC). Visit SPEC repair cafés External website, opens in new tab for upcoming event dates, locations, and booking details.

General guidelines

While details may vary by event, most repair cafés follow these general guidelines:

• Bring a maximum of one broken item per person.
• Complete a waiver on-site if bringing an item to be repaired.
• Participate in the repair of your item to support learning and skill-building.
• Book your appointment in the correct category to ensure you are matched with the appropriate volunteer fixer. If booked in the wrong category, there is a good chance you will not be seen.
• Plan ahead, as drop-ins are not available and events are often very busy.
• Arrive early to complete your waiver before your appointment begins. Late arrivals will forfeit their spot.
• Treat volunteer repairers and other participants with patience, kindness, and respect.
• Stay home if you are sick, caring for someone who is sick, or self-isolating.

For specific requirements, check the event details provided by the event organizer.

The types of items accepted can vary by event, but commonly include:

• Clothing and textiles
  • Repair holes and ripped seams
  • Replace buttons (attendees must provide replacement buttons)
  • Replace zippers (attendees must provide replacement zippers)

Information icon Hemmings and alterations are not provided.

• Small appliances
  • Toasters, coffee makers, vacuums, blenders
• Electronic items
  • DVD players, radios, and stereos
• Desktop computers and laptops
  • Tech support – software, data, and virus removal
  • Repair – desktops, laptops, mice, speakers, and keyboards
• Bicycles
  • Complete minor repairs and tune-ups
  • Adjust brake and gear cables
  • Adjust seats and handlebars
  • Patch tires
  • Replace inner tubes or cables (attendees must provide replacement parts)
• Other miscellaneous items

When booking an appointment, select the correct category to ensure you can be seen by a volunteer repairer.

Not all broken items can be fixed at a repair café. Volunteer repairers will do their best to diagnose and repair items, but some repairs may not be possible due to safety concerns, complexity, or time limitations.

Repair cafés may decline items that:

• Contain lead or asbestos
• Are unclean, such as items with food residue, grease, or dust
• Contain insects, dead or alive
• Are dirty or unwashed clothing or textiles

The following items are typically not accepted:

• Printers
• Furniture
• Tablets
• Large appliances
• Bags and backpacks
• Shoes
• Jewelry
• Sewing machines
• Power washers
• Clothing that requires hemming or alterations
• Items that would take longer than 30 minutes to repair

Important note If you bring an item that cannot be repaired, you are responsible for taking it back and disposing of it responsibly.

Interested in organizing your own free swap? Our toolkit offers guidance on planning and running a swap event with family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues. Download the free swap toolkit PDF file (2.4 MB)

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.