Semi-annual Repair Cafe back at college Nov. 17

Event encourages people to have broken items fixed rather than toss them out

Broken items will be made good as new at next weekend’s Repair Cafe.

The Repair Cafe, run by the regional district’s waste reduction office, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 17 in the trades building at the Kelowna campus of Okanagan College.

“These Repair Cafes showcase the value of repair and repurposing — a counter to the throw-away mindset,” said Rae Stewart, waste reduction facilitator. “Our 30-plus volunteer fixers will attempt to breathe new life into just about anything. If you can carry it under your arm, they will do their best to tackle the problem.”

The regional district has been presenting two Repair Cafes a year for several years, and attendance continues to grow.

Often, people are surprised to learn that fixing some broken items is possible, said Stewart.

“If you attend, you will find you are encouraged to actively participate in the disassembly, troubleshooting and repair of your item, so you leave empowered, part of the process.”

The Okanagan Regional Library will also be on site with its mobile library.

People will be able to borrow books about home repair, small appliances, automotive repair, sewing and more.

Electro Recycle will also offer a free barbecue lunch for anyone who brings in a small appliance to be fixed or recycled. Parking is free. For more information, go online to regionaldistrict.com/repaircafe or call the regional waste reduction office at 250-4696250.