Repair rather than renew

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Permalink Reply by Nick on January 7, 2010 at 12:50pm

Quite right Roy, possibly - but particularly with the fridge, it depends how old it is and its current rating. Fridges are significantly more efficient now than 10 years ago even, and washing machines are now designed to use significantly less water, with quicker spin cycles, etc.

Assuming you've done all your research though (!), I'm sorry that I have no recommendation on servicing... but would point out that the WEEE regulations (on recycling waste electrical and electronic items) have tightened further this month, implying even higher levels of resource recovery, reuse and recycling.... see this link for the current target levels for WEEE "reprocessors". So, if you do recycle your white goods, up to 75% must now be recycled or reused!

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Permalink Reply by Roy Vickery on January 7, 2010 at 7:58pm

Thanks Nick.
I haven't got much idea how old my fridge and washing machine are, but I prefer to get them repaired. Apart from anything else, repairing creates local jobs, whereas renewal creates jobs elsewhere (in China?).
I think we should foster people who do repairs, and move towards a situation where repairing old items, rather than automatically renewing them, is the norm.
Roy

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Permalink Reply by Nick on January 8, 2010 at 11:49am

Good point Roy. Might be worth also putting your local area, so people know who to recommend.
e.g. if you live in Lambeth, there are various "time banks" where people with skills can share with others, or there may be a local exchange trading scheme (LETS), or else there may be a skills sharing group within your nearest Transition Town group?

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Permalink Reply by Carey on February 1, 2010 at 6:46pm

Yes very improtant points Roy, I dont know which local borough you live it, but Islington were going to begin a new project looking at the viability of repairing household items, so I think they were going to dedicate a small sum of money to set something up. This was poo poo'd by some in the council who thought it would be a waste of money, but others were very keen, so if you are in Islington, check with them. Hope the tight fiscal state of affairs with local councils hasn't affected this project.
another option might be to try London Remade http://www.londonremade.com/ who may be able to refer you to a company that does this sort of thing.
Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Roy Vickery on February 1, 2010 at 8:43pm

Thanks for this message.
I was at a meeting the other night where someone said that new energy efficient water-heaters have a life of six years, as opposed to older models which can last indefinitely. I wasn't able to question the speaker for details, but it's interesting. If the new 'green' models have a shorter life-span, their green credentials are, to say the least, suspect.

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Permalink Reply by RICHARD FEATHERSTONE on February 7, 2010 at 12:51pm

Roy

if you live in the south london area there are two reuse organisations i can suggest you contact. Croydon ARC and FAST both can be found on the LCRN website: www.lcrn.org.uk or they may have their own websites.
Essentially these two voluntary organisations are set up to collect unwanted furniture and applainces for passing on to low income families; they offer a collection service of old items which they will try to repair or if not recycle. They also sell reconditioned appliances at very competitive prices. Croydon has a better range of stock. thus if you cannot find a repair option for your applainces you could think about passing them on to the reuse and recycling sector rather than the waste stream and at the same time buy a refurbished product - off setting loads of caabon in comparison to buying new.

good luck
Richard

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