Nathan Ash, Woody Kellar, and Robert Hoople lent a hand at Lloydminster’s first Repair Cafe at the Lloydminster Public Library. There was also a group of sewists in the next room, helping mend and hem clothing for anyone in need of assistance. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert
Everything from lamps to jackets were given a second chance at Lloydminster’s first Repair Café on Oct. 28.
Those interested in the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC)’s program gathered at the Lloydminster Public Library with tools and sewing machines to lend a hand to anyone who brought in a project.
“I saw it on Facebook, that the event was going on. I like to fix stuff around my own house from time to time,” said volunteer Nathan Ash.
“It’s always good to save something instead of having to go buy something new, and it seemed like a good opportunity to use some of those skills to hopefully fix a few things and try to keep some stuff out of the landfill.”
This is one of many initiatives the SWRC supports throughout the province. Their mission is to take a proactive approach to reduce waste.
Repair cafés such as this are held, not only to reduce waste, but to educate each other and exchange useful skills and information.
For example, a tech person might bring in a pair of pants that need hemming and a sewer might bring in a TV with a broken speaker. They can give each other a crash course in each of their areas of expertise, while fixing the items.
Woody Kellar also decided to put his Saturday to good use, helping repair an array of things.
“Two sewing machines, a laptop, a dvd player, and a lamp—that one was an easy fix,” said Kellar, a computer technician by trade.
“It’s nice to get to know people and be out and about instead of being at home … help people out. Especially meeting other people who like to fix things,” he said, adding he hopes it becomes a regular thing in Lloyd.
Robert Hoople was also helping out and enjoying his time at the Repair Café. He said he started tinkering as a child, and the curiosity stuck.
“My mom was telling me know she could never keep a toaster around the house because I was taking them apart to see how they worked,” he laughed.
“I do it as basically a hobby—since I was a kid. I started repairing TVs and VCRs and I’ve just been tinkering away ever since.”
For more information, check out the SWRC on Facebook or go to their website saskwastereduction.ca.
