Free repair café does roaring trade in Portlaoise
Hoovering up a storm at the event
THE first pop-up Repair Café in Laois did a rip-roaring trade, as eager customers arrived with torn shirts, broken toys and wobbly chairs to be fixed free of charge.
The two-day event held at The CUBE in Portlaoise was a remarkable success, helping people to save money and keep many household items instead of sending them to landfill.
Delighted with the turnout on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, Laois Co Council’s waste enforcement officer Kim O’Meara said: “We were delighted to see such strong participation and interest from the people of Laois. Waste prevention is a key priority for us and the Repair Café is a practical way to support our communities, to reduce waste and extend the life of everyday items.”
Repairs were carried out by volunteers from Dublin-based Tog Hackerspace, which focuses on tackling waste while sharing skills and knowledge. Founder Jeffrey Roe had a willing team on hand, not only to repair items but to teach owners how to do repairs themselves and how to avoid similar problems in future.
Jeffrey said: “It’s not just a Repair Café but a community-based initiative, where we give people repair skills as well. This encourages people to think about what they are buying and to try and repair more things.”
Across both days, dozens of electrical and other items were given a new lease of life, saving them from dumps and preventing unnecessary purchases, while also passing on valuable skills.
From small appliances and electronics to clothing, textiles and small furniture, The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence on Tower Hill welcomed tired toasters, ripped jackets and other household items, determined to keep them in use and out of landfill.
The event also provided a space for conversation around sustainability, reuse and how everyone can play a role in reducing Ireland’s carbon footprint.
The café was hosted by Laois Co Council, in collaboration with the Eastern-Midlands Waste Region and with the support of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
The CUBE managing director Caroline Hofman said it was fantastic to meet so many people coming through the doors, adding: "Embracing the circular economy and reducing our waste are vital steps towards sustainability and we look forward to collaborating with Laois Co Council on future events like this.”
