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Thursday, 10 February 2022

Methods of Repairing

Repair
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    The concept of Repair is pivotal to achieving sustainability. In context of the 5 R's, it implies the restoration of something that might otherwise be seen as broken or unusable. While recycling and reusing such items provides a valuable solution for limiting waste production and accumulation, these same products are often easily repairable. Repairing is thus not only beneficial from a lens of sustainability and waste reduction, but it also takes into account issues of consumerism, economic constraints, and value. 

There are accordingly several methods of repairing that can be implemented into daily life. These can include:

Consulting Professionals in the Field 

    Many repairable items are often thrown away because it is more convenient or people simply lack the technical know-how to make the amendments required. For technological possessions, such as televisions and smart-phones, it is impractical for individuals to make the repairs on their own unless they have specialized in the field themselves. These items can however be repaired through having persons within the field repair them, likely at the fraction of the cost of purchasing a new version of the broken product. 

Repairing as a Hobby , Skill, and Opportunity 

    For certain types of repairing, individuals can consider building their skills through learning how to execute certain repairs. These skills can also be used as a method of working on recreational projects and developing hobbies. This may be exemplified by sewing or furniture repair. As people work on mending rips in different fabrics or replacing broken zippers, they can improve their sewing skills and diversify their interests by eventually moving into sewing clothing and different cloth materials from scratch. This might also create opportunities for work and business. For example, as someone begins working on minor repairs for their furniture by buffering scratches, restoring artistic finishes, painting surfaces, or reattaching broken chair legs, they can develop their abilities and eventually transform these interests into a viable business. 

Investing in Products that Promote the Longevity of Items

    Citizens can also consider investing in items that enable the repair and longevity of certain items. Considering the illustration of knives, cutlasses, and other widely used blades, long term use in the kitchen or in yard work can result in them becoming blunt, dull, and ineffective. Investing in a knife sharpener can ensure that dullness is easily repaired and it thus lengthens the life of commonly used blades. 

Upcycling 

    In tandem with reusing and repurposing items, upcycling suggests that a broken product can be repaired and improved in some new way. This might be illustrated by clothing that has been tarnished in some way. Clothing with holes can be up-cycled through using embroidered patterns to revitalize the article of clothing and mend holes in the fabric. Likewise, clothing which bleach-spots or stains can be repaired through dyeing them innovatively with methods such as tie dying. 


    Repairing, in short, allows individuals to limit the waste that they produce. It can simultaneously provide a cost-efficient mode of life that encourages individuals to be more mindful of the items that they own. It may not always be the most feasible option since certain items can be quite costly to repair, and older models of items become obsolete and non-repairable due to technological advancements, and the issue of supply and demand. However, repairing, where possible, can still offer benefits in living sustainably.

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The Five R's of Eco-Sustainability