Don't wait for it to wear out, don't throw it away yet, repair it and use it again!
This phrase was mentioned by a participant at a closet organization seminar I was recently in charge of.
"I can't throw things away because it feels like a waste.
So, I wear my clothes while praying, 'Please wear out quickly...'
This way of thinking.
I have clients I visit who feel the same way.
It's a waste to throw it away.
But if it's broken, I can't use it, so it's okay to throw it away.
I want to throw it away soon, so I wish it would break quickly.
What do you think?
When I receive food as a gift that I don't like, I sometimes find myself wishing the expiration date would pass quickly. I'm sorry.
What is World Repair Day?
World Repair Day (International Repair Day) is held on the third Saturday of October every year as a day to rethink the value of "repairing" around the world. It is organized by the Open Repair Alliance, in collaboration with various groups such as Repair Cafés, the Restart Project, and Fixit Clinics.
In 2024, over 2,000 events were held in more than 40 countries, marking the largest scale in its history.
By the way, the theme for 2025 is "software obsolescence," and since Microsoft will end free support for Windows 10 on October 14, the intention is to shed light on the issue of PCs that are still functional as hardware being discarded.
On this day, activities celebrating "repairing" take place in various forms, such as local repair workshops, community repair events, skill-sharing sessions, and online outreach.
In Sapporo, where I live, an event was held at Uniqlo the other day.
Why is "repair" so important right now?
I remember that in Japan in the past, we used to repair and use everything, but lately, even when I go to resource collection centers, I see massive amounts of clothes, home appliances, and furniture being thrown away.
I have experienced it myself, but there are aspects of modern Japan where it is difficult to feel that repair is accessible.
The impression that repair costs are higher than buying new items
Difficulty in procuring parts or passing on technical skills depending on the item
Strong consumer culture and marketing based on the premise of replacement
Insufficient legal and distribution infrastructure
The thing individuals are most conscious of is the thought, "Isn't it cheaper to just buy a new one?"
But when you think about it, it's strange.
The cost of creating something (material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, etc.) should be highest at the time of production, yet it becomes more expensive when only a small part is broken (even though most of the materials are already assembled and ready).
This is where the conflict lies.
From my perspective in the past,
it's a waste of time to look for a repair shop
it's a waste of time to request a repair and have someone come for an estimate
in the end, the repair will be expensive
and so on, I would think of justified reasons for myself to buy a new one.
First, I decided to try repairing it
If requesting a repair is expensive... then why not try repairing it yourself within a range you can manage?
Instead of all or nothing, I'll lower the hurdle to a reasonable middle ground to make it easier to execute.
I repaired my scratched shoes
I owe it to my Dr. Martens that I can spend every year without falling on snow and ice. However, since I love wearing white, they became covered in scratches.
After searching, I found that I could repair them using this Saphir product, so I gave it a try.
If you look closely, there are still gouged scars left, and there is some color unevenness. But let's say this is okay since it's just for my feet.
Now I can continue wearing them this year too!
I also repaired socks with holes
It's getting cold in the house, and wool socks that don't constrict my feet have become essential, but there was a hole in the heel... So, I used embroidery thread that I had kept at home just in case (for my child's sudden craft projects) to close the hole.
I am terrible at detailed work and sewing, so I wanted to avoid it if possible, but I had no other choice.
However, this will keep me warm from the time I get out of the bath until I go to bed. Since "not letting my feet get cold before sleep" is non-negotiable for a good night's rest, I felt that this repair (the clumsy repair marks are on the soles of my feet and can't be seen anyway) was worth the effort in the end.
Making the choice to "repair" a part of daily life
World Repair Day is apparently not just a day to "do repairs."
Although it is gradually spreading in Japan as well, it is said to be a day that serves as a catalyst for using things for a long time, adjusting our lives—including our connections with others—and cultivating culture.
The "repair culture" also has the power to share skills and build communities; local Repair Cafés are places where people not only repair things but also gather, learn skills from each other, and form relationships. This movement, which originated in the Netherlands, is considered to be a "repair of relationships" that goes beyond the mere restoration of objects.
If these various perspectives come together and relationships expand, perhaps "repair and reuse" will become a natural choice rather than simply "replacing" things because they are cheap.