RÉPAROTHON MOVEMENT
The campaign is on to defy society’s use-and-toss ethos by getting those broken computers, cellphones, tablets fixed, Maeve Haldane writes.
The siren call of gleaming new technology is hard to block one’s ears against. Each year a finer phone or speedier laptop beguiles us. They’re so pretty. Why be even a microsecond behind? Might as well just get a new one, since repairing costs about as much anyway.
Well, Insertech is one organization that begs to differ — and is doing something about it.
The non-profit organization encourages consumers to think beyond disposable technology and shows how easy and inexpensive it can be to maintain gadgets.
As well, Insertech wants to sensitize the public to the environmental cost of our culture’s useand-toss ethos.
“Recycling gives people the false sense that they’re doing the environmentally correct thing,” said Nebojsa Adzic, Insertech’s communications and development officer, pointing out that computer recycling programs don’t always make full use of the recycled device’s components.
“But extending the life of the device is far better.”
The social enterprise was initially created in 1998 to train young adults who were having difficulty finding a job. At Insertech, youths develop marketable and social skills as they refurbish computers that are then sold to the public at great prices. Businesses that are upgrading their computers can donate the old ones to Insertech, which picks them up free of charge to bring back to headquarters to be tinkered with, repaired, updated and salvaged for parts.
And, when necessary, Insertech properly disposes of the dangerous elements like lithium, zinc, lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and brominated flame retardants. “The reuse of materials is way more efficient, more logical and better for the environment,” Adzic said.
Inspired by the British-based Restart Party movement, Insertech started to hold its popular Réparothons in 2015. People are encouraged to bring in their old, tired and wonky computers, tablets and cellphones to volunteer technicians who will diagnose and, if possible, fix the gadget for free.
Also, the technicians will patiently demystify those magic boxes and help owners understand the wiring behind the wizardry.
The Réparothons are held roughly once a month, in different venues around town, including universities and community centres.
The next one will be held at Insertech’s home space in Technopôle Angus on April 19.
It is the organization’s biggest annual repair event, meant to coincide with Earth Day on April 22.
I saw a Réparothon in action at Collège Ville-Marie in February, the first time Insertech had teamed up with a high school.
History and geography teacher Frédéric Yelle, also responsible for techno-pedagogical innovation at the school, helped organize the unusual event.
At least a dozen students volunteered to work alongside experienced technicians, who were set up at different tables in the lobby.
Fifth-year student David Dias chose to be there because he’s always happy to help classmates with their gear. “I just like finding problems and solutions,” he said. “I like helping strangers.”
Citizens registered to have new life breathed into their broken laptops, tablets and even computer towers.
Snacks and coffee were provided for those waiting their turn.
Many had heard about the event through word of mouth or social media. Some, like Marie-Josée Demers, work at the school.
She brought in two ailing Dell laptops, one of which was older than some of the students.
Demers knows the kids from the kitchen side of the school cafeteria counter, where she’s head chef, and she was pleased to see them coming out of their shells.
“The students seem shy, but here they’re interacting with others, they’re animated,” she said.
Vincent Côté, a volunteer computer technician and dad to fourth-year student Solène Côté, was inspecting the hardware. Côté volunteers regularly with Insertech, and strongly believes people should understand their gadgets.
“You don’t truly own something unless you can open it up and fix it,” he said.
Even though his daughter Solène isn’t passionate about computers, she agrees that it’s an important life skill to grasp the inner workings of electronics. Crediting Collège Ville-Marie with instilling in her the core values of community mindedness and service, she was delighted to be at the event.
“I think it’s worth sharing your knowledge, and it’s a good initiative,” she said.