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#righttorepair
#RepairCafe starts #TechAmnesty to support #community
by Alexandra Bassingham, June 24, 2025
"A community project, which encourages people to bring in items to be fixed for free, has opened an amnesty point for unused #technology to be handed in and repurposed for others.
"The Repair Café, started by Biddy Hammond from Somerset, has helped hundreds of people since being set up in October 2023.
"It has two donation drop-ins a month, one in #BurnhamOnSea and the other in nearby #Highbridge. Items can also be donated at the information bureau on Burnham seafront.
"They now have almost 20 #volunteers, fixing items including #SoftToys, #upholstery, #electricals, and #clocks, which in turn, reduces items sent to #landfill sites.
"Ms Hammond said they are looking for an offer of a storage facility space so they can support the community even more
"Ms Hammond said it was after hearing a woman at a charity shop saying she could not afford to fix her iron, that she came up with the idea of opening a repair café.
" 'I thought it's such a simple thing to do to help people out and it's pointless buying a new whatever every five minutes, because items work for such a short while nowadays.'
"Repair Cafe volunteers also visit homes with a thermal imaging camera, to help people increase insulation with 'simple fixes in their homes like thicker curtains,' Ms Hammond added.
"She said after lockdown the repair cafe has built the community in quite a strong way, offering a service and a social space.
"Hugh Champion, one of the repair team, said: 'We have a good time, hopefully delight a few customers, and send them home with things they had written off that are back to working condition again.
" 'And people are so delighted when you help them fix something especially when it has high sentimental value,' he added."
Good job to #Electrolux who, in their app and on their website, allow you to buy individual parts for many of their products so you can fix the items yourself.
I feel like it's a rare thing to see these days but should be standard practice for every manufacturer of products like this.
My clothes dryer can be taken apart with a simple phillips screwdriver. Why does my toaster have these stupid anti-tamper screws? Is it powered with plutonium? #righttorepair
Can we get a big Texas yeehaw?!
The Lone Star State just signed the seventh state Right to Repair law for electronics. It’s also the first electronics repair law to pass in a state led by a Republican, but we’re only surprised it took this long.
We’ve always seen broad bipartisan support for these bills. Repair isn’t red or blue. It’s just common sense.
Read more: https://www.ifixit.com/News/111288/texas-is-fixin-to-fix-repair-right-to-repair-signed-into-law
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#iFixit #RightToRepair
NEW #Fairphone6 #EU #Energy #label
It seems that #energy #efficiency improved quite a bit.
This, plus the slightly larger #battery boosted #batteryLife compared to #fairphone5 
Our golden rule is "if you can fit it through the doors and it's not a microwave, we'll try and fix it!"
We can't make guarantees but between our volunteers we have a wide variety of skills and expertise.
What will you be bringing to our next event on Saturday 5th July between 10am and 1pm?
High Costs Have Ended America’s Love Affair With Cars 
“Cars have become disposable because automakers want them to be.”
"You love them, you want them, you can’t live without them…and they’re costing you a fortune in repairs, insurance and shockingly expensive replacement parts. Dan Neil on why our national obsession with the automobile has turned dangerously codependent."
'Lawmakers are now one step closer to giving Pennsylvanians the legal right to repair their own electronics.
The Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee held a vote today on a proposal supporting the Right to Repair for electronic devices (House Bill 1512). The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 15-11 and now goes to the full state house for consideration.
HB 1512, sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullins, would give Pennsylvanians the right to repair their own electronic devices. When cell phones, computers, televisions, and other household electronics break, consumers often have no choice but to junk them.'
https://www.northcentralpa.com/life/pa-house-committee-votes-to-pass-right-to-repair-bill/article_2cf8ab17-3026-4394-8385-e73932a32cc4.html #righttorepair #uslaw #uspol
Since I’ve been increasingly preferring devices powered by AA batteries, I got these cool 1.5V lithium rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 3000mAh each, along with a USB-C charging case. They really last forever.
I still wonder, though, what the differences are between lithium and nickel-zinc batteries in terms of efficiency and lifespan, and whether there’s still a reason to buy NiMH batteries.
#gadgets #batteries #sustainability #righttorepair
#Maine program to give old tech a new life for those in need
By Tina Fischer, June 18, 2025
"As part of its mission to boost broadband access across the state, the Maine Connectivity Authority is launching a program to distribute used digital devices to veterans, students, older adults and low-income households.
" 'Getting people a device that meets their needs for work, school, health care or other personal benefits is one of the most direct ways to enable internet access,' said Jessica Perez, the agency’s digital equity manager.
"The Maine Tech Share program, developed in partnership with a #WatervilleME nonprofit called #GiveITGetIT, aims to source 25,000 tablets, laptops and phones over the next few years for the effort.
"Give IT. get IT is a licensed and permitted electronics recycler.
" 'Maine business leaders who value our mission are the reason we have been able to provide more than 20,000 personal computers from Kittery to Fort Kent since 2002,' said Chris Martin, co-founder of give IT. get IT.
" 'Our partners benefit by safely donating their electronics, and we destroy the data, file compliance reports, and recycle and reuse everything we can to redistribute the technology,' he said. 'The whole process is a win for our partners, the environment and our community.'
"Maine’s Digital Equity Plan, approved in 2024, identifies access to an affordable, effective device for those who need one as a critical strategy to closing the digital divide.
"Nearly a third of low-income individuals and families indicated that they did not have enough devices to meet their needs. Age and quality of devices was also a consistent issue for enabling reliable internet connection.
"Over the last three years, the Maine Connectivity Authority has facilitated high-speed connections for 86,000 homes and businesses across the state."
Source:
https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/maine-program-to-give-old-tech-a-new-life-for-those-in-need
Very cool! Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday! @iFixit @frameworkcomputer
EU Ecodesign for Smartphones Including Right to Repair Now In Effect - Starting June 20th, any cordless phone, smartphone, or feature phone, as well as t... - https://hackaday.com/2025/06/21/eu-ecodesign-for-smartphones-including-right-to-repair-now-in-effect/ #europeanunion #righttorepair #repairhacks #ewaste #news
Hate Apple, for how difficult they make it to tinker with them. But stuff is beautifully crafted in there! #RightToRepair
Today I received a new charging board for my @mntmn Pocket Reform.
Many thanks to the team for their support and assistance.
I’ll definitely buy again!
Connecticut has joined the growing list of states giving consumers the #RightToRepair electronic equipment at their chosen service provider, without manufacturers throwing obstacles in the way -- improving #competition and convenience. #CDT encourages other states to follow. https://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/connecticut-governor-signs-anti-steering-bill-2/
Help save Philly's local solarpunk bookstore! Iffy Books, which has offered everything from books on permaculture to first aid workshops to open hours for soldering assistance, needs your help. Please share this letter widely!
I've been grateful for the opportunity this space offered me to rekindle my relationship with digital art for merch and run solar art and queer zine workshops. Iffy Books is irreplaceable in our community. To keep offering programs and resources that foster climate activism, right to repair, and skill sharing in Philly, we need to take action now.
