Posted on: Friday 17 February 2023
Photos of the Repair Cafe in Pontypool Indoor market
More than 50 electrical items have been saved from the rubbish bin thanks to the Torfaen Repair Café.
The café opened in Pontypool Indoor Market in October and since then 54 products have been repaired including electric drills, vacuum cleaners, kettles and toasters.
The Torfaen Repair Café is run by Wastesavers Charitable Trust in partnership with the Council and is open on Wednesdays, between 9.30am and 12.30pm. In order to open more days, Ian Pearce the Peak Project Coordinator, is now looking for volunteers to help open the café on other days.
Volunteer Kevin Cox, from Penygarn, said: “I really enjoy working in the shop with Ian, it’s really fulfilling knowing you are fixing an item which was going to go in the bin.
“It stops people buying new items which is even more important than ever now as money is so tight.
“I’ve always been the person in my community who fixes things, so I thought I’d help out a bit more.”
On Wednesday, MP Nick Thomas-Symonds visited the café, which is a partnership between Torfaen Council and Wastesavers Charitable Trust.
Torfaen MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: “I was delighted to visit the Torfaen Repair Café this week, and speak to the staff and volunteers involved in this wonderful local project.
“Repairing and reusing items is a crucial way to cut our waste, and it was great to see that so many residents had made use of the Café by bringing their items in to be fixed.”
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “We are thrilled that the Repair Café continues to be busy, and we encourage residents to give them a visit before recycling a broken small electrical item. It could be something simple that needs fixing.
“Repairing and reusing items should always come first before recycling or sending them to incineration, so we really hope residents take up this offer.
“Working in partnership with Wastesavers Charitable Trust is always a pleasure and hope it continues long into the future.”
Alun Harries, Charity Manger, Wastesavers Charitable Trust, said: “Repair Cafes are an integral part of Repair & Reuse across Wales and it’s great to be working in partnership with Torfaen CBC to have established one in Pontypool. It’s a great place for people to pop in with their items to be fixed, save them money and help the environment.”
If you are interested in volunteering for the Repair Shop call Ian Pearce on 01633 281287 or email ianpearce@wastesavers.co.uk
The Torfaen Repair café joins a network of repair cafes know as Repair Café Wales. To find out more visit https://repaircafewales.org/
The Torfaen Repair Café and Steelhouse Reuse shop, in New Inn, are helping people in Torfaen to reuse items and reduce waste.
Reducing and reusing items saves money and reduces the need for new material to be produced, which helps reduce carbon emissions For more information about reducing and reusing, visit our website. #CutTheCarbonTorfaen