The second annual International Repair Day grew massively from the first, growing from 65 events to over 150. Activists celebrated the day in 21 countries, on five continents. Members of the Open Repair Alliance (and future members) made it a real success. There was loads of activity on Twitter and Instagram to commemorate the day.
Together we fixed clothes, shoes, wetsuits, tools, furniture, electronics, toys, musical instruments, appliances and even shared new kits/products to enable fixing.
We had such an amazing International Repair Day yesterday ? Thanks to everyone for joining us at Kinning Park Complex in celebrating the power of community repair to prevent waste and share skills!! ? #RepairGlasgow #InternationalRepairDay pic.twitter.com/e1ZexEJvH7
— Repair Cafè Glasgow (@repairglasgow) October 21, 2018
Happy International Repair Day!
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—@ifixit #RepairDay #RightToRepair #InternationalRepairDay #ifixit #ifixmacs #VoidIfRemoved #techrepair #techpro #macupgrades #computerrepair #macrepair #repairfemale pic.twitter.com/x5M69DAnHm— Jessica Kirsh (@jessica_kirsh) October 20, 2018
Posted by Restarters Oslo on Saturday, 20 October 2018
Right to Repair gains global profile
For the first time, we sensed repair activists across the world talking about the “Right to Repair” and standing up for better products, and a better relationship to our stuff. In the US, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Consumers Union helped promote the day, as did the Repair Coalition, the organisation driving the ongoing Right to Repair campaign.
In Europe, the European Environmental Bureau launched a new video on the Right to Repair, hinting a future European campaign, watch this space.
Businesses join in
But the day was not just for activists and communities – repair is a vital part of the economy we need. Numerous small businesses, innovators inside of big companies, and disruptive new businesses are promoting repair. Thanks to Sugru, iFixit, eSpares, and Finisterre for joining in during Repair Day. Next year we hope to see more.
Small businesses shared their repairs as well – and even a private vocational college in Tennessee.
Moore Tech welders doing what they do best! #RepairDay #metalmuseum pic.twitter.com/k71oWrKTfn
— Moore Tech (@MooreTechMem) October 20, 2018
Media coverage
Major media covered the event around the world too – we estimate we reached up to 1 million people with media.
Australia: ABC Radio (Sydney)
Germany: Süddeutsch Zeitung
Global: BBC World Service (BBC Click)
US: Boing Boing
UK: Positive News
Next year
Save the date: 19th October, 2019. We’re going to approach the United Nations about backing the day next year, so we can reach out to Asia and more of Latin America and Africa. In the meantime, you can join in community repair, continue to support your local repair business, and join in a Right to Repair campaign near you.