Newcastle Libraries have launched the free Newcastle Repair Café, teaching the community how to fix broken or damaged items instead of throwing them away.
With the expertise and help of providers such as Newcastle Toy Library, Upcycle Newcastle and local repairers, the new initiative will operate at the recently re-opened Lambton Library on the last Saturday of each month until June.
Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, said the initiative aligned with the community’s vision of creating less waste and promoting a sustainable, circular economy.
“Creating a sustainable City has been at the centre of all our decisions, which is why Newcastle Repair Café is a great innovative initiative, fixing items are reused ensuring they don’t end up being sent to landfill prematurely,” Cr Nelmes said.
Ward 3 Councillor, Margaret Wood, said a visit to Newcastle Repair Café was a great way to renew unused household items and for people to learn new skills.
“The aim is to teach sustainable living skills to our local community through the repair and re-use of old household items, and best of all is that the events are free to attend,” Cr Wood said.
“The Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where people with items that are in need of repairs can meet skilled repairers to breathe new life into their old items and have the opportunity to learn new skills to use for future repairs.”
The first of four Newcastle Repair Café events at Lambton Library planned for 2022 was held in March, which focused on clothing, small hand tools and bikes.
The next session is on Saturday, April 30, and will offer repairs for toys, clothing and bikes.
Further Newcastle Repair Café events will be held in May for textiles and clothing, and in June for furniture, small hand tools, clothing and toys.
The June event will also feature a plant and seed swap to promote the benefits of growing produce.
Newcastle Libraries will also commence weighing items presented to the Repair Café, in order to track the volume of items that would have otherwise been thrown into landfill.
Bookings are not required for Newcastle Repair Café sessions.
For further information on upcoming sessions visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library