I was playing with Sophie the other day when suddenly her toy broke — my first instinct was to throw it out, but then I realized all I’d really have to do is tie a couple pieces of string back together and it would work just fine. Not quite as good as new, but 99% of the way there.
As some readers have already suggested, fixing things — rather than tossing them out and buying new stuff — is most eco-friendly. While I’m far from being a Ms. Fixit, I’m surrounded by others who can change a faulty zipper (the dry cleaners), sew on a button (mom), attach a new lock to my bike (dad) and so on.
Today’s green move, then, is to try and fix whatever’s broken before throwing it away.
This is such a good idea, and a change many people could make no matter where or how they live. Also, if you’re just too entirely busy or clueless to fix something, offer it on Freecycle, chances are someone else out there may have the time and skills to fix it if it’s given to them for free. This is something I’ve been working on, I actually know how to fix A LOT of things, but it’s so much easier to just toss what’s broken and buy a new one. I need to make a sign for my wall with that old saying “Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”
Is it me, or are the posts getting shorter and more perfunctory? I think you might be getting a little green around the gills, and need a little green vacation. 365 changes, one day after another . . . Change for the sake of change, to check something off of a list . . . is that what you wanted this to be about? Take a nap, a bubble bath, a walk with a friend, relax . . . enjoy yourself. Please take some time off and get back to us when you are ready to do more than just phone it in.
If you check V’s July 6 post, RC, you’ll notice that she is ON vacation and mentioned in advance that she might have to “phone it in” from time to time. I think it’s admirable that’s she’s continuing to update the blog even while away from home. It shows her dedication to this undertaking.
That would be: it’s admirable THAT she’s continuing…
Sorry, that’s the editor in me coming out
I remember being a kid and my toys were so easy to fix. Just pop the wheel back on and it’s as good as new. My sons have broken wheels on their trucks that are near impossible to fix and have it work again. It makes me so mad!
I used to think that in order to really make a change, I had to make giant leaps. But I have realized that a small step is still a step towards a solution. So I want to thank you for mentioning small steps and indirectly encouraging me to do the same.
No need for caps, Hellcat. I do remember the vacation post, and I think what I was alluding to is that, perhaps, while on vacation, one should be on vacation, rather than diluting the blog pool with uninspired obligatory posting. It’s my opinion, but I haven’t had as much fun reading this blog as of late, and I’m finding the changes (e.g. yesterday, eating out of a pot) to be change for the sake of having to add one more change to a mandatory list. No one has to blog, and if you are going to, well . . . then you do open yourself up to constructive criticism if you aren’t putting in the effort, for whatever reason.
There was a great story online about a handy guy, who would fix everything that he or his friends owned, from VCRs to chairs…
After his coffee maker completely died (probably after being fixed a bunch of times already) he decided he had to get a new one. This one died even before a full year had gone by…so he thought, he would take it apart and fix it.
Well…he went to find the screws to open the body up and there weren’t any…it was plastic that snapped together, which I think broke in certain spots if you tried to get in. Then where he expected to see an element and some wires he saw a computer chip…he’s a handy guy, but you can’t fix a computer chip!
The point is…perhaps when making purchasing decisions..try and find the simplest products that can be mended or fixed in the future..rather than these products that are designed to die after a year, and can’t be fixed…
We’re being forced to consume all the time because of the crap quality out there and the fact that products are engineered to break and be throw-away!!!!
Morgan, I agree about the planned obsolescence of many of our everyday items. That’s one reason I adore my antique treadle sewing machine, and cast iron cookware, among other things.
I have always been the “fix-it” person in the family… everything from the dishwasher to kids’ toys, whenever possible. As some others have mentioned, you can’t repair a computer chip. This afternoon I repaired the brakes on my husband’s bicycle (the nearest *good* bike shop is about 20 miles away, and the bike would have had to be left there, requiring not one but two trips…). Yesterday it was a simple drive band on an antique spinning wheel.
The first use of caps was for emphasis, although should more appropriately have been placed on the “is”; the second use was making fun of my own inability to spell. I don’t consider that excessive. Chill. Matter closed.
this may just be a pms day for me . . . and if so, I apologize, but please don’t address me directly in the first place (discounting my opinion), and then tell me when to “chill.” Comments should be about substantive matters relating to the blog. (Fully aware that this one isn’t, but my first two were . . . ) Hard to get this across in type, but my posts are, were, and will continue to be meant in a friendly, open way, to encourage dialogue, and not to shut people down, or to parent them, or to tell them when matters are closed. Sorry if I am rubbing you the wrong cyber way.
You are right R.C. , Vanessa is away and the blog doesn’t feel the same but she didn’t want to desert it and put it on hold as the challenge was to do something every day. She is back on the weekend and then,after a week, going on a veggie, hippie bike ride in Oregon. She is still trying to stay true to the changes (although the guy house sitting for her was allowed to turn on the fridge!!).
Hang in there and she will be back with lots of ideas from her travels!! You are all great.
thanks so much for this . I am the mom who sews on the buttons and sometimes i do it because I am cheap (and of little means), but sometimes it just seems wrong to toss so much that is still ok out the window. I fix and sew and glue and then I try to figure out what else it’s good for. Always blamed the habit on my Norwiegian grandfather who fixed Everything… (toaster cord so short is barely reached the outlet for being repaired.) Now I can fee better about myself for doing these things. Stumbled upon your blog. Too bad I didn’t sooner as I live here in oreeegon. Hope it’s a great trip.
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