Published: Thursday 8 October 2020
Free bike repairs, discounts on electrical repairs and skills workshops are taking place in Kensington and Chelsea this Repair Week, which runs from 12-17 October.
In 2019, over 1000 tonnes of clothes and textiles were thrown away in Kensington and Chelsea, either as waste with household mixed recycling. The Council has teamed up with London Recycles to encourage people to have a go at repairing and reusing items they would normally discard to help protect the environment and reduce waste.
More than two thirds of Londoners said they would repair and reuse more household items if they had the skills. Local businesses are offering repair services as part of London Repair Week. In Kensington and Chelsea, look out for:
- 10% off all electronic repairs at iSmash stores all week using promo code KC10
- Tuesday 13 October, 6 – 6.45pm: Free online craft and design taster session with Goldfinger Factory, who are based in north Kensington. Bookable online via Eventbrite
- Wednesday 14 Oct, from 4pm – 7pm, Free bike repairs with Dr Bike on Kensington High Street, junction with Earls Court Road
Reducing waste in the borough contributes Vision Carbon Zero – the Council’s ambition for a carbon neutral borough by 2040.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Environment, said:
“We have set our ambition for Vision Carbon Zero – a carbon neutral borough by 2040 – and a circular economy with less waste is vital in reaching that goal.
“During lockdown, many of us have been ordering more online and creating more waste. Giving old items some care can extend their lifespan, helping save the environment and save some money too.
“There are talented people in our borough who can help you to repair rather than throw away and it’s another way to support local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.”
The Council’s own reuse and recycling centre based at Smugglers Way accepts unwanted household items such as TV’s, fridges and freezers for repair and reuse. It is home to the Rework workshop, which offers work experience and training to local unemployed people and refurbishes unwanted domestic items, such as furniture, white goods, toys and tools. The items are donated to charities for resale.
Other local businesses which can help people to repair and reuse their treasured items include:
- Thimble in Thackeray Street, Kensington, which offers seam mending, relining and restyling services for clothes.
- Cyclecare on Earls Court Road, offering bicycle repairs and servicing
- Goldfinger Factory in Golborne Road which offers courses in crafts and sustainable woodworking.