How to Repair a Device or Item?

We live in an era where repairing items is not just a practical choice, but also a way to reduce waste and protect the environment. Before rushing to replace a broken electrical device, a worn-out piece of furniture, or your favorite pair of shoes, try repairing it!

The process can be simpler than you think and often more economical than buying a new item. Here are the basic steps you can follow for a successful repair.

Step 1: Diagnose the problem

The first step is to understand exactly what the issue is.

• For electrical devices: Check if the item has power, if there are any damages to the cable, if it works with a rechargeable battery, or if there is any visible error on the screen or switches.
• For furniture: Look for broken wooden or metal parts, worn-out screws, or loose connections.
• For footwear: Check if the sole is detached, if there are rips in the fabric or leather, or if the laces and stitching are damaged.

Step 2: Find the right repair instructions

Sometimes, repairs are easier than we think, as long as we have the right information!

• Search online for repair guides for the specific item. There are specialized websites and YouTube channels that offer free tutorials.
• Visit forums or repair communities where you can ask others who have faced similar problems.
• Check if your item comes with a manual that includes maintenance and repair instructions.

Step 3: Try the repair – DIY or professional help?

Depending on the damage, you can decide whether to attempt the repair yourself or if you need professional assistance.

• Simple repairs you can do yourself:
  • Replacing a missing screw or part.
  • Gluing plastic or wooden pieces with special adhesives.
  • Replacing power cables or batteries.
  • Sewing torn fabric or changing laces in shoes.
• Cases where it’s better to consult a professional:
  • Complex electrical or mechanical failures in household appliances.
  • Replacing large or specialized components.
  • Repairing leather or handmade shoes that require a specific technique.
  • Restoring old or antique furniture that needs professional finishing.

💡 Tip: If you don’t know where to start, visit a Repair Café. These are open workshops where volunteer technicians and experts help people repair their devices, furniture, clothes, and other items for free or at low cost.

Additionally, you can explore repair and sustainable consumption initiatives through InCommon, where you will find actions, workshops, and communities promoting the circular economy and reuse.

What if it can’t be repaired?

Trying to repair an item is always the best solution, but what happens if it truly can’t be fixed? Instead of throwing it in the trash, there are sustainable and responsible options that reduce waste and protect the environment. Here’s what you can do!

1. Recycling – Give old items a new life

Many items, even if they no longer work, contain materials that can be recycled and reused.

• Electrical and electronic devices: Most components can be separated and reused. In Greece, you can find the nearest recycling points through the Appliances Recycling network.
• Furniture and wooden items: If they can’t be repaired, parts of them can be used for DIY projects or recycled as timber.
• Shoes and clothes: Many old fabrics can be turned into industrial cleaning cloths or used in the production of new products.

2. Reuse – Creativity instead of disposal

Many items we consider useless can take on new purposes:

• Upcycling & DIY projects:
  • Old devices can be turned into decorative pieces or storage solutions.
  • Worn-out furniture can be painted or used in new construction projects.
  • Old clothes or shoes can be transformed into accessories or even decorative items.
• Donation:
  • Even if you can’t fix it, maybe someone else can! Various organizations and repair workshops accept item donations for reuse or spare parts.

3. Proper disposal – No to landfills!

If an item can’t be recycled or reused, make sure you dispose of it properly:

• Many municipalities offer special collection points for bulky waste, so landfills aren’t overloaded.
• Use specialized recycling bins for electrical devices, batteries, glass, and other materials.
• For hazardous waste (batteries, light bulbs, electronics), look for special recycling points via anakyklosianthess.gr.

🌍 Small actions, big impact!

By choosing repair, recycling, or reuse over disposal, we help reduce waste and support the planet’s sustainability. Something might no longer be useful to you, but it could be valuable to someone else—or repurposed in creative ways!

🔗 Find more information about recycling in Thessaloniki at anakyklosianthess.gr