Mend and extend

Have you thrown away anything that could’ve been repaired recently?

Have a think about why. Do you need to sharpen up your skills, don’t know where to look, or simply lack the time? 

If an appliance breaks or some clothing rips, having some basic equipment ready will make it easier to repair items instead of throwing them away.

From sewing kits to screwdrivers, have a look around local charity shops and online marketplaces like Freegle (LINK?).

But before you do, ask family, friends, and neighbours if you can borrow theirs while you repair your broken item. You may only need to use repair equipment occasionally, so it's better to borrow than buy!

Stitching up a torn piece of clothing is a skill as old as time but is still as useful as ever.  

Take the time to learn from any sewing-savvy friends and family or use one of the many online guides next time you have some clothing to repair.

From sewing buttons, repairing zips and rips, or getting creative with patches, upskilling yourself will reduce waste, and save you money. You'll also keep wearing your favourite clothes for longer! 

Maintaining and repairing items is a great way to save money and reduce waste. Putting to use or picking up some DIY skills allows you to repair or upcycle what you already own and prevent valuable material from being wasted.

You can start small - your toolbox might be the key to a cheaper and more circular lifestyle.

In a world of ‘fast tech’, the technology we have in our homes and pockets contain valuable materials that get wasted when they’re put in the bin.

Instead of forking out on a new gadget every time something goes wrong, save money and resources by making simple fixes yourself or visit a local tech repair shop.

And if it can't be fixed, make sure you recycle it! Valuable materials, including lithium, copper, and aluminium can be reclaimed and reused in new products, from wind turbines to life-saving medical equipment.

If you don’t have the skills to repair something when it’s broken, then don't just bin it! Use the skills in the wider community to help Colchester waste less together.

If you’ve something that needs mending, why not take a trip to the high street and get a professional repairer to take a look at it. Shoes, clothes, tech and electrical appliances can often be repaired with minimal fuss.

Or if you want to pick up a new skill yourself, visit a local repair cafe - they bring people together to share valuable skills, save money, and help us use our items for longer.

Repairing belongings saves money and waste, but it's also a great chance to get creative!

Whether it’s refreshing an old piece of furniture to a new style, or turning some old denim into a new bag or hat, upcycling what you already own fills the soul, not the bin.

It's the perfect opportunity to stamp your individuality onto what you own or wear, and chance to stand out from the crowd!

It's a shame to spend money on something that quickly breaks and ends up in the bin. Take a different approach and treat everything like it’s your favourite item and save it from being wasted.

Some care and simple maintenance can go a long way to make your stuff last longer.

Gain the feel-good satisfaction of knowing that you've made something last and it may find a place in your heart 💚