Repair workshop

Imagined What it could do

Imagine a workshop where carpenters mend broken chairs, turn fallen branches into bowls, and keep every scrap of wood in use until it finally becomes compost or warms a home.

Real world A circular economy

Most of what we buy follows a straight line: take materials, make a product, use it, throw it away. A "circular economy" tries to keep things in use for as long as possible by designing them to last, sharing them, repairing them and recycling the materials at the end.

In 2009 the first Repair Café opened in Amsterdam: a free event where volunteers help people mend clothes, toasters, bikes and toys. There are now thousands of repair cafés around the world. Some countries have also introduced "right to repair" rules that require spare parts and repair information.

Bible A carpenter from Nazareth

The Bible says that all things were made through Jesus (John 1:3), and that he grew up working with his hands: the people of his town called him "the carpenter" (Mark 6:3).

Real world Wood from healthy forests

Wood is renewable only if forests are managed well. The Forest Stewardship Council, founded in 1993, certifies forests that are managed to protect wildlife, workers and local communities. Its label helps shoppers choose responsibly sourced wood and paper.

Think about it

1. How could a city reuse wood instead of cutting new trees?
2. What have you repaired, or could you repair?
3. Why are some products hard to fix?

Key words

Circular economy

Keeping materials in use instead of throwing them away.

Right to repair

Rules that make it easier to fix things you own.

Certified

Checked to meet a standard.