Local Master Recycler Joins the National Repair Movement
This month we’ve asked Master Recycler Mentor, Colleen Johnston (Class 36), to share her experience attending a national summit on the Repair Fairs.
Last fall, I participated in a national webinar hosted by the EPA titled “Value of Repair: Fixing Stuff and Strengthening Communities.”
Nancy Schlosser (Class 72) at Canby Repair Fair
It got me so excited -and missing the Milwaukie Repair Fair I’ve organized since 2017.
The webinar featured three main presenters. Each brought something different to share (Links are to their PowerPoint slides):
John Wackman, Hudson Valley Repair Cafes in New York; John focused on in person repairs and the history of repair events and their various names. He also shared basics on how to set up a repair fair, including where to find repair volunteers, how to get the word out, and what else to have at the event besides repair.
Jeanette Brizendine City of Federal Way, Washington Recycling Coordinator; Jeanette talked about the role of local governments with repair events as well as tool libraries. She was instrumental in having a tool library built where they also hold repair fairs. Their programs especially teach women and youth how to use tools, so they feel empowered to repair their own items. She added that governments can help with education and sponsor grants to help communities hold repair fairs, educate on buying quality items, and even in creating tool libraries.
Peter Mui, Fix-it Clinic in Berkley, California. It was inspiring to hear Peter’s enthusiasm for the Fix-it Clinics he started. Volunteers of the clinics coach community members through fixing their own items. After the Pandemic, they shifted to online Fix-it Clinics where a group gets together to help others repair items as large as washing machines while others watch and learn. He also talked about the network of global fixers that host online repairs around the world that anyone from anywhere can participate in.
Photo from John Wackman’s slides
John probably inspired me the most on how to improve the Milwaukie Repair Fair. I loved his idea on making a kid-take-it-apart area so children can learn how things work and adding a craft table to keep people busy while they wait. Peter inspired me to start thinking about an online repair fair with other Clackamas County Master Recyclers. And I’d love to see more tool libraries spread out through our community so more people have the opportunity to repair their own items.
I was surprised and delighted the EPA hosts these types of webinars and can’t wait to participate in another one soon.
Colleen enjoying summer fun at the Milwaukie Farmers’ Market with fellow Master Recyclers.