King County offers free repair events to promote waste reduction

If there is something in your home in need of repair, like an air fryer that won’t air-fry or a hairdryer that won’t hair-dry? Why not sign up for a local repair event instead of throwing it away?

Advance sign-up is now open for several upcoming King County-sponsored repair events, where skilled volunteer “fixers” will work to repair home or personal items for free. According to the King County website, only one item per person per event will be allowed and the best way to sign up is through email. There is also no guarantee that the item can be repaired or that it won’t become more broken.

The next county-sponsored repair event will be from 3 to 6 p.m. July 26 at the Auburn Library. The next one after that will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Kent Library, then from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at Shoreline Library; and then finally on from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Bothell Library.

Volunteer fixers will work on small household items, personal items, some electronics, textiles and clothing. However, they will not be able to offer lengthy reconstructive repairs, major clothing alterations or sharpening of any knives or tools.

Repair events and “repair cafes” have become a popular way for people to reduce their waste and to make their home and personal items last longer. Outside of these county-sponsored events, other organizations offer their own repair events, like South King Tool Library, Vashon MakerSpace and Tool Library and Zero Waste Washington.

In order to sign up for the events, email Repair Events Coordinator Tom Watson at tom.watson@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-4481.

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