An innovative repair cafe is set to launch in Donnybrook this weekend, promoting sustainability and cost savings for residents.
A significant step towards combatting the current throw-away culture and encouraging waste reduction, the Donnybrook Repair Corner will offer monthly repair sessions to fix a range of broken household items.
The repair cafe provides locals with a practical alternative to discarding items that could instead be repaired, helping to change the mind-set of simply throwing items away when they no longer work. A team of skilled local volunteers will be on hand to repair items including bikes, small electrical appliances, jewellery, clothing, shoes and tools.
Helen, the passionate volunteer coordinator of the Donnybrook Repair Corner, says the initiative will have a great impact within the community.
"The waste reduction and financial benefits of not having to go out and buy a new toaster or garment will hopefully change the minds of residents to live more purposefully," said Helen.
"This initiative will benefit the environment, not just through waste reduction in bins, but through the frequency of people booking hard-rubbish collections and also general dumping of rubbish in public places."
City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the repair corner is part of a larger move toward becoming a low-waste municipality.
"We are excited to support the introduction of repair cafes around the community, with the first repair cafe successfully running in Mernda, and now with the opening of one in Donnybrook. Supporting these repair cafes forms part of our Rethinking Waste Plan where we aim to help our community reduce their waste and repair, reuse and recycle," Lydia said.
"The Donnybrook Repair Corner will not only offer repairs but also a learning opportunity as locals sit with skilled volunteers to see how items that would otherwise be thrown away can be given a second life."
Donnybrook Repair Corner launches Saturday 2 March from 10am to 2pm at Shared Space 995 Donnybrook Road, Donnybrook.
The launch celebration will include kids activities, a face painter, coffee and light refreshments.
The repair corner is supported by the City of Whittlesea as part of the Rethinking Waste Plan and will be open for repairs the first Saturday of every month.
