Repair Cafés offer free fixes for broken household items

We throw away a lot of stuff, often because it's cheaper to replace rather than repair it or we just don't know how to fix it. That means these items get tossed into the trash and end up in the landfill.

That’s where Repair Cafés come in. There are now thousands of Repair Cafés across the world where people with a variety of repair skills help mend broken items, keeping them in use and saving the owner money and the raw materials and energy needed to make and transport a replacement.

Re.Use.Full will gather volunteers to provide free fixes for bikes, clothing, computers, small appliances and electronics and jewelry at four upcoming events:

Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church
3800 Troost
Kansas City, Mo.

Saturday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mid-Continent Public Library
Platte City Branch
2702 N.W. Prairie View Road 
Platte City, Mo.

Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mid-Continent Public Library
East Lee's Summit Branch 
2240 SE Blue Pkwy 
Lee's Summit, Mo.

Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mid-Continent Public Library
Smithville Branch 
120 Richardson St. 
Smithville, Mo.

Re.Use.Full will also accept donations of surplus tools, such as screwdrivers, hammers, clamps, pliers, wrenches, drills and soldering equipment, for use at upcoming Repair Cafés. 
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Re.Use.Full is a sustainability-focused nonprofit organization that has been connecting people with still-good stuff with the nonprofit organizations, schools and churches that can put it to good use since 2020. They began hosting Un-Dumpster Day events in 2022 to provide convenient, one-stop drop donation collections and recycling services and Repair Cafés in 2024 to help people repair instead of replace their household items to keep them out of the landfill. Donors can also visit reusefull.org anytime to find the items accepted by their nearly 120 KC-area charity partners, ranging from small organizations to well-known nonprofit brands like Goodwill and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and arrange for their donation. There is no charge for anyone to use the site or participate in Repair Café or Un-Dumpster Day events. Photo credit: Re.Use.Full
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