Repair Revolution: How Fixers Are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture

by John Wackman, Elizabeth Knight

Every year, millions of people throw away countless items because they don’t know how to fix them. Some products are manufactured in a way that makes it hard, if not impossible, for people to repair them themselves. This throwaway lifestyle depletes Earth’s resources and adds to overflowing landfills. Now there’s a better way. Repair Revolution chronicles the rise of Repair Cafes, Fixit Clinics, and other volunteer-run organizations devoted to helping consumers repair their beloved but broken items for free. Repair Revolution explores the philosophy and wisdom of repairing, as well as the Right to Repair movement. It provides inspiration and instructions for starting, staffing, and sustaining your own repair events. “Fixperts” share their favorite online repair resources, as well as tips and step-by-step instructions for how to make your own repairs. Ultimately, Repair Revolution is about more than fixing material in an age of over-consumption and planned obsolescence, do-it-yourself repair is a way of caring for our lives, our communities, and our planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Environment

310 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Carolyn Kost · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Try a little experiment. Tel someone about the idea of a 'community meeting place to bring a beloved but broken item to be repaired for free.'" (17).

There was a time when we attended to that which was in need of mending or repair instead of discarding it. Even in rather poor countries, people have stopped repairing items and buy new instead. This throw-away mentality (when there is no "away") has enormous impact on the environment. How to change this addiction to convenience and consumers and materials economy?

This book proposes the answer: Repair Cafes, Fixit Clinics and tool libraries, already in practice in many places around the USA and other nations. It's not a drop off service, "not a monetary transaction--it's an interpersonal transaction." It's a global movement with enormous promise, related to upcycling, freecycling, the maker movement, and DIY. This goes along well with my earlier reviewed book about Joyful Mending.

(To the tune of Modern Major General...)
They fix mechanical, electrical, electronic, and digital,
things of wood and bicycles,
jewelry and things to wear,
some things'll be beyond repair.
Repair Cafes International.

"There is something about the act of repairing that motivates and satisfied deeply felt parts of our nature...one of the greatest sources of human enjoyment is being able to enact one's knowledge, to share what you know." If you are an upcycler or mender, you know how true this is. It feeds my soul.

"What could movements like Repair Cafe and Right to Repair become if repair achieved the cultural and institutional buy-in that recycling enjoys?" (73).

We can't keep consuming. We can't keep buying. This matters. Let's spread this movement.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was planning to open a Repair Cafe, I would have rated higher. If you plan to open one then it's a great resource with plenty of tips and explanations on why to do or not do a variety of aspects.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Repairing and reusing the things we own is far more 'resource efficient' than recycling. Think about it: when we repair something, everything that was needed to make it is preserved and intact, embodied within it: the energy, the materials, all of the time and talents required to manufacture it. When we recycle, much of that is lost. When we throw something 'away' and buy something new, all of that is lost."

Gosh, where to start with this one?! I've had it on my TBR for awhile, desiring the knowledge but fearing the dryness I anticipated while reading a book about fixing stuff. Instead, I was surprised by the fire in my belly it restoked, and the number of times my personal experiences were tapped into as someone who absolutely still participates in Throwaway Culture.

I've had moments of philosophical struggle - like the fact that my dryer has a digital lock, preventing me from diagnosing its error code without a Siemens repair man in attendance, OR sending my otherwise pristine oven out the door, because it was cheaper to replace the whole thing than to repair the single element that had burned out OR the feelings of judgement I fear when sending my children to school in "visibly mended" clothing, because while it matches my moral desires for consumption/ownership... I can't escape the knowledge that it carries stigma as well - this book addresses those feelings, reveals how we got here, and also presents a tangible solution through the Repair Cafe.

"...we'd like to fix [things], but when repair is not an option we end up replacing them instead. We feel trapped by planned obsolescence. Repair culture aims to establish the agency of repair and reuse as social norms, as a way of challenging and remaking the ecology of our economy."

I love this book, because normally when I pick up something to do with sustainability or conservation, I'm overwhelmed by the reasons why it's important to consider - and it can feel catastrophic to read. This book is distinctly optimistic, as Wackman & Knight are reporting on a functioning model that has far-reaching benefits for any community that implements it. It's not a "maybe this could work" suggestion, it's a documented "this is working... globally" case study.

Even if your goal isn't to start your own local Repair Cafe (a third of the book is an appendix chock full of useful templates and examples from existing Cafes) I think it's a worthwhile read. If nothing else, it fosters a new appreciation for the "stuff" we've chosen to take into our care.

[Grimm Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

As John and Elizabeth explain, people line up at these repair cafés with their band-aided and broken items. Whether it's a shirt that needs mending, a blender that won't blend, a record player that won't play, or a lamp that won't light, it seems there is no end to the knowledge and willingness of fixers to teach people how to bring their cracked and crooked items back to life. Not only do people get their items repaired, but they learn firsthand how to make these fixes themselves.
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Listen to my interview with John Wackman & Elizabeth Knight >> https://www.findthegood.news/2020/12/...

[Thegirlintheafternoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

[Melissa Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Repair Revolution is a wonderful book on so many levels. It is storytelling, cultural analysis, how-to guidance, social movement strategy and more. John Wackman and Elizabeth Knight take on the fast growing, diverse world of Repair Cafes, Fixit Clinics, tool libraries and related groups that help people take control of their material lives while having fun. While they vary in philosophy, these are all places where people can get help fixing their stuff and be part of a movement to counter the throwaway culture, gathering with others and receiving the direct help of a "repair coach" (Repair Cafe) or hands on training to fix their stuff directly (Fixit Clinic). The book is richly informative, based on original research nationally and beyond. It is also grounded in the direct experience of the authors. Knight is organizer of the Warwick NY Repair Cafe and annual "Too Good to Toss" swap event. Wackman, who recently passed away, had devoted half a dozen years as a volunteer coordinator and cheerleader for the Repair Cafe of the Hudson Valley and Catskills, formed when he brought the model to New York from the Netherlands and now over 30 Cafes strong. The authors created the website www.repaircafeusa.org to support a nationwide movement, in consultation with other active networks of fixers. Recently, Repair Cafes in Europe and the US have begun to make waves calling on industry to design products so that they are easier to repair, connecting the repair movement with a wider "circular economy." Because the book tells this entire story from the inside in such a compelling way, it's a page turner that should have the power to spark a national movement. You don't have to be an environmentalist to be attracted to these events, or to understand that this is a positive trend in a world that needs good news.

[Mary Bono · Rating 5 out of 5]

REPAIR REVOLUTION is a how-to and a why-to guide to a growing movement, led by people skilled at fixing broken things and abashed at a culture that advocates trashing them and buying new ones. I'm among that group; we share a respect for craftsmanship and a fondness for old things--things with history and personal meaning, however well-worn. Turns out those fond attachments are common, though the skills to repair them are not. As a Repair Cafe volunteer, I've discovered the generosity of fixers of all stripes, willing to take on any broken gadget, stopped clock, loose earring, cracked chair, dull blade, ripped hem or puppy-chewed cushion and try to fix it. Matching that generosity is the gratitude of the community--the folks who bring in their "beloved but broken" items into the cafe, hoping they can be put back to use. REPAIR REVOLUTION describes both sides of that interaction in engaging, well-informed prose, as it endeavors to spread the word, the skills and the impetus, in blueprint form, to establish repair venues far and wide.

[Maria Blon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Repair revolution is an inspiring book about how people are fixing products, using them longer, rather than throwing things away without considering the alternatives to piling more junk in landfills. This is a favorite brush of mine, one which my teenage daughters would come into my room on a regular basis to use this brush and take a look at themselves in the mirror before dashing off to school or work. "The Repair Cafe" shares a story of DIY glue stations, where books can be restored and other things can be glued back together. Because of reading this book, I decided to do a google search to figure out how to glue the handle back on. Epoxy glue is suggested, so I will give this a try.

I visited a Repair Café in our area and was thrilled watching volunteers bring beloved items people had back to life again.

Thank you John and Elizabeth for these inspiring stories which help me to look for life in the things I love using and finding ways to keep using them!

[Pauline Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library because the concept intrigued me and I have to admit I liked it way more than I thought I would. The history of the different repair cafès was an interesting read, the explanation of the right to repair movement was well written and easy to understand (like the rest of the book), the instructions for opening up your own cafe potentially are very in-depth and useful, and the repair instructions at the end are something important for everyone to have. There is also a long list of very helpful resources at the total end. I highly recommend reading this and I may even buy my own copy so that I have all of the information and resources at hand.

Also thanks to this book I have discovered that there is a repair caffe right in my own city. I have several things to take there and I can’t wait to do that when it hopefully reopens in January. (It has been closed thanks to the ongoing pandemic.)

[Elizabeth Huebner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Repair Revolution. It is a wonderful book. I love the many aspects of it including the emphasis on building community. It is so much more than I expected it would be. It includes why public libraries are important, how we can preserve the right to repair our cars etc, and how we can get to know our neighbors in the process. It has inspired me to make some changes in our local Repair Cafe, has given me ideas for people to reach out to to get a more diverse group of attendees. This book made me feel hopeful.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book that is jam-packed with fascinating information and insights. I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in learning about how to fix our throwaway culture and create community at the same time. There are so many layers to the repair ethos and this book does a great job of unpeeling them in an entertaining way.

[Autolycuse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea, but not the book. Maybe it's more interesting for people to whom fixing things instead of throwing them away is a completely alien concept? Is it an American thing? Idk, I didn't find anything new about what I read. The repair cafes are a really cool idea, I just didn't like how they were explored in the book.

[mats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the awesome cover fool you - this book is written from a moderate liberal position. Nevertheless, repair-culture is a worthy cause and authors convey a pretty good understanding of what needs to be done in general and how to go for it in particular.

[Nanaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like repair cafes. The book was repetitive. It gives good insight on how to start one, problems that arise, and the sense of community the cafes create. I like the idea of the kids’ table where they take apart and put together things.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent how-to guide for a new world focused on zero waste.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to develop some repair skills. Think about where your items came from and where they are going. Buy less, fix more!

[Josh Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY love the message of this book, but it wasn’t always the most interesting read.

[standingontheshouldersofgiants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired me to understand how things work

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that can change the world. The climate crisis can only be fixed if throwaway culture is transformed into one of repair and reuse. Repair Revolution offers grassroots solutions to the cultural issues of consumerism that are directly fueling climate change through the lens of the global repair movement. Looking at the cultural difference between linear-degenerative economies and circular-regenerative economies - it shows how repair events empower community members to come together around the shared goals of social resilience, stewardship, as well as social and environmental justice. Repair Revolution explores the economic theory and cultural history of how throwaway culture came to be - and provides a comprehensive guide on how to start/host a repair event/community. It includes guides on repair, resource lists, tool supplies. It distills so much information and wisdom in less than three hundred pages, it's a wonderfully fun read with philosophical musings, real-life repair anecdotes, and poignant stories. Repair Revolution offers entire new paradigms of thinking about waste in light of 21st century technology. This book was truly written with love for both people and the planet!

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

How words lose meaning and become simply tags to adorn some brain droppings.

So
* repair is a slogan for antique bad design.
* revolution is empowering the government bureaucrats.
* fixers is busybodies with low qualifications.
* transforming is want to transform
* throwaway culture is a big Ef you poor and dark skinned, we, the Whites know better for you

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise and one I'd enjoy participating in, but it didn't hold my attention long enough to finish. Front loaded with lots and lots of case study/examples.