Repair Café
In cooperation with the City of Vancouver, SPEC is hosting 9 repair cafes in 2024 in support of the City’s Zero Waste by 2040 goals and SPEC’s Zero Waste Committee education and advocacy programs.
What is a Repair Café?
Started in Amsterdam in 2009, Repair Café is a global initiative that aims to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, and to change society’s “throw-away” mindset.
Repair Café brings together local repair volunteers with a knack for repairing who are willing to lend their knowledge and show event participants how to carry out repairs. Community members are encouraged to bring computers/laptops, bicycles, small appliances, textiles, and electronics to be diagnosed and, if possible, repaired.
- Only 1 item per person per event
- Visitors must sign a waiver of liability to participate
- New replacement parts are not provided by Repair Cafe or volunteer fixers
- We are unable to repair large appliances at this time
- Ensure your item is clean of dirt, food particles or grease. Clothing/textiles should be laundered – Fixers may refuse to repair if the item is not clean
- Please find all House Rules at the bottom of this page
The more we can repair, reuse, and recycle the longer products stay in circulation.
Upcoming Repair Café
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Get Involved!
Volunteers are integral to the functioning of a repair café. Below are a list of volunteers opportunities that we are currently recruiting for. To become a volunteer, click the link below to register and the Repair Cafe Coordinator will email you with further details.
Register to volunteer
Registration/ Check-in volunteers are the first people to interact with participants when they enter the Repair Café. Tasks include:
- Greet visitor at the entrance and confirm their appointment on the guest list
- Ask visitor to complete waiver form and confirm item being repaired
- Review House Rules with guest
- Ensure item being repaired is clean – instruct visitor to clean food particles, dust, etc.
- Introduce visitor to their repair volunteer
- Ensure data is collected before visitor leaves
Event support volunteers help to ensure the event is running smoothly through the day. Tasks include:
- Set up tables and chairs
- Prepare coffee and refreshment table
- Post directional signs
- Help with Repair Data collection
- Put away tables and chairs post event
- Collect directional signs
- Pack refreshment supplies
- Help transport Event Supplies, if needed
- Electronics
- Computers/tablets
- Small appliances
- Clothing/textiles
- Bikes
Apprentice Fixer Learn alongside an experienced fixer.
REPAIR CAFE HOUSE RULES
- Visitors offering broken household items for repair do so at their own risk and must sign a WAIVER to participate. No signed waiver, no repair.
- Repairs are not guaranteed. Volunteer fixers are not liable if the item that is repaired at the Repair Café does not work properly at hom
- Only 1 item per time slot and 1 item per event
- New replacement parts are not provided by Repair Café or volunteer fixers
- Fixers are entitled to refuse to repair items (see Right-to-Reject below).
- Visitors are responsible for cleaning their items before bringing in for repair.
- Visitors to the Repair Café are solely responsible for their items at all times and for tidy removal of items brought in that could not be repaired.
REPAIR CATEGORIES:
- Computers – repair & tech support: ie) desktops and laptops and
peripherals such as keyboards, mice, headsets, speakers, external
devices. - Electronics: Home entertainment items including stereos, guitar amps, electric pianos. VCRs. DVD players, and kids’ electronic toys.
- Small appliances: ie) lamps, toasters, foot heaters, hair dryers, and fans.
- Clothing/textiles: ie) shirts, pillowcases, pants, tablecloths. If bringing zipper or button repairs, you must provide your own button/zipper. Not accepted – items requiring alterations, hemming, bag repair, shoes. Some zipper repairs may not be possible due to complexity and time.
- Bicycles – minor repairs and tune ups. Replacement parts such as cables or inner tube, must provide your own part(s)
- General: small, portable items
OTHER NOT ACCEPTED – printers, monitors, cell phones, tablets, shoes, bags, luggage, jewelry, watches, furniture, or large appliances.
CODE OF CONDUCT – Be kind!
We welcome all members of the community and ask that everyone attending the Repair Café knows and follows this Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in denial of repair service and dismissal from the event and future events.
- Treat everyone with respect including volunteers, visitors, and venue staff.
- Harassment, bullying and discrimination of any kind is prohibited.
- Respect the host venue property and the property of volunteers.
- Cooperate with the registration process, waiting line and repair work.
- Be considerate of individuals’ sensitivities. For example. some people are sensitive to loud sounds and strong scents.
- Respect people’s privacy. If you wish to take pictures or make recordings, you must inform a registration volunteer and ask anyone being photographed or recorded for their individual permission.
- Report any breaches in the Code of Conduct to the Repair Café registration volunteers.
- No retaliation: Repair Café prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports a potential breach of the Code of Conduct.
If you have any questions, please ask.
RIGHT TO REJECT
Repair Café reserves the right to reject any items in the following condition:
- Items containing asbestos insulation (those manufactured before 1994)
- Items containing lead
- Unclean items containing food residue, grease, etc
- Items containing insects of any kind (dead or alive)
- Dirty and unwashed clothing
For the safety and comfort of all, please ensure that any item you bring for repair is clean, free from the above conditions, and otherwise safe for handling.
