What is a Repair Café?

A man repairs an electronic device while a woman observes at a table covered with tools, paperwork, and tape in a workshop setting.

And how does it help the planet?

Simply put, instead of trashing broken items and buying new, Repair Cafés help us fix our stuff!

The City of Redlands sponsors four Repair Cafés each year. These events are organized by Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) and further supported by an amazing group of volunteer “fixers.”

What exactly is a Repair Café?

A Repair Café is a community event where skilled volunteers help repair household items—for free! It’s a hands-on way to practice one of the key R’s of sustainability: Repair.

Common items brought in for repair include:

Bicycles
Clothing
Toys
Clocks
Jewelry & Watches
Home Decor & Heirlooms
Small Appliances
Electronics

If you can carry it in, our fixers will take a look and do their best to bring it back to life.

From complex rewiring to simple clothing mends, these events save countless items from ending up in the landfill. More than just a repair station, Repair Cafés are a space for community connection, skill-sharing, and environmental action.

Our local Repair Café was brought to the City of Redlands and is still organized by ANCA.

How does this help the planet?

Firstly, Repair Cafés reduce the number of items being sent to the landfill. Reducing waste limits the amount of greenhouse gases generated while processing our trash, prevents pollution, and saves critical landfill space.

Every new item requires raw materials and energy to produce. By repairing instead of replacing, we reduce demand for new goods and conserve Earth’s finite resources. It also sends a message to manufacturers: we don’t need more stuff.

An older man repairs a small object at a table covered with papers and tools while an older woman watches; a bicycle is being serviced in the background.

What if my item can’t be fixed?

Please make sure you dispose of your unrepairable items properly.

Click here to learn more about what goes where.

Electronics and hazardous waste must be taken to San Bernardino County’s Saturday household hazardous waste drop-off. Learn more here.

How can I get involved?

Repair Cafés in Redlands are held every:

January
April (during the annual Day of Climate Action / Redlands Earth Day)
July
October

Check the City of Redlands calendar for upcoming events.

Interested in volunteering as a fixer? Reach out to ANCA to get involved and share your skills with the community.