The Big Fix
The Big Fix
The Big Fix is a repair campaign introduced by Recycle Devon to counteract throwaway culture. The Big Fix started in 2019 and encourages residents to make use of their local repair cafés.
In 2024 the campaign saw a total of 163 repair cafés getting involved and successfully fixing 3,177 broken items across the UK.
Here in West Sussex, we want to support reuse and repair as much as we can. With an amazing network of volunteer run repair cafés in West Sussex, you're in good hands.
Why is repair important?
When you throw an item away, you're not only wasting the product itself but also wasting the land, energy and raw materials that went into producing it.
While recycling can help reduce the amount of general waste, the process still consumes valuable resources. This is why waste prevention is so important. If you can repair or reuse an item to extend its life, you're not just saving the item - you're also conserving precious natural resources!
What is a repair café?
A repair café is a free meeting place where people can bring things to be repaired by volunteers in their local community. This can include things such as:
- clothes
- furniture
- electricals
- bikes
- clocks
- lights
- ceramics
- toys
Repair cafés aim to waste less, share skills and create a more sustainable society. Did you know, West Sussex is home to over 20 repair cafés? To see a full list and their contact information, visit our community climate action map.
Repairing at home
For information on repairing household items such as clothes, appliances, electronics, phones and tablets, visit the I Fix It web page.
Volunteering at a repair café?
Many repair cafés are looking for an extra pair of hands. Whether that be to help fix items or make cups of tea!
If you would like to get involved, why not contact your local repair café and see how you can help. A list of repair cafés and their locations can be found on our Community climate action map.
If you’re interested in starting a repair café yourself, you can find guidance on the Community Repair Networks website.
If you volunteer at a repair café or are interested in getting involved with one, check out our forum and join the discussion.
More ways to reduce your waste
Donate
Donating your pre-loved items is a great way to reduce your waste and allows someone else the opportunity to make use of these items. In West Sussex we have lots of great charity shops who would be willing to take old good quality clothes, furniture and-bric a-brac off your hands.
Buying second hand is another great way to save good quality items from going to waste. Make use of resources such as your local charity shop, Vinted, eBay and Facebook Marketplace - buying second hand is cheaper too!
Hire
Did you know you can hire furniture, clothes and toys online? Alongside freeing up space in your house, hiring lets you be adventurous and try new styles, all for a fraction of the cost.
Why not give it a go and get good quality pieces flexibly through online services such as Fat Llama and Whirli.
For more information on reducing waste in West Sussex, visit our waste prevention web page.