On Sunday, July 26, the Sammamish Library will host the annual King County-sponsored repair event, a free community gathering where specialized volunteer “fixers” come together to help Sammamish residents repair various household items and clothes.
Through their passionate support, the “fixers” truly make a lasting impact, often restoring cherished items while saving countless others from the dump.
Since King County began this county-wide program in early 2016, their events have always been designed with the inclusion of all in mind. Project manager Tom Watson says that his goals for the program are to “continue serving different populations, including the elderly, young people, people with disabilities, those who speak different languages, and more.”
By keeping this program open to everyone and free of cost, a diverse community of participants and organizers has been established. As their overall attendance has risen, repair events throughout the area have leveraged their growing influence to make a difference in our community, our environment, and our lives.
One of the core issues that these events have been able to counter is the increase in unnecessary waste corresponding to rising consumerism throughout the world. Taking the time to keep just one item out of the landfill is often cost-effective for the user and sustainable for the environment.
Watson hopes that if any lesson is to be learned through these events, it is that the preference for repair rather than buying items anew “reduces waste, conserves resources, and will save you money.”
The huge success that this program has experienced, hosting its 100th repair event this year, truly shows a trend towards improving our sustainability as a community, something that we must continue to be mindful of.
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