Repair

What?

Self-driven product repair carried out by users can be supported via the product.

Why?

Repairs can prolong the product lifespan. This can be motivated by user economy, ideology and/or emotional attachment to a product.

Challenges

• User skills might be limited.
• It can be difficult to get hold of spare parts.
• Users might experience lack of motivation.
• Inexpensive items may not motivate repair.

Examples

• Online communities for all types of repair is a growing phenomenon such as ifixit.com.
• Websites where users share very basic craft skills for repairing clothes, such as on Lifehacker.
• Christopher Ræburn’s remade-reduced-recycled initiative has created the Ræburn Repair’s open day, where customers can bring items for repair free of charge.

Further Reading

Barnatt (2012). Seven Ways to Fix the World. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Fletcher & Tham (ed.) (2015). Routledge Book of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles. Routledge.

Fletcher (2016). Craft of Use. Routledge.

Gwilt (2015). Fashion and Sustainability: Repairing the Clothes We Wear. In: Gwilt (ed.) Fashion Design for Living. Routledge, pp. 61-76.