As part of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), FEUP will run a campaign from November 22 to 30 to raise awareness within its community about the importance of repairing equipment as a key practice in promoting a circular economy. The initiative will highlight the evolution of FEUP’s Repair Café, which has been held regularly since 2019, with at least two editions each year. A short retrospective will be shared through FEUP’s sustainability channels, showcasing key moments, results, and the growing engagement of the academic community over the years. Through this campaign, FEUP aims to reinforce its long-term commitment to waste reduction and inspire continued participation in future editions.

FEUP’s Repair Café initiatives seek to minimize waste generation by fostering a culture of repair rather than replacement. Through a collaborative environment supported by experienced volunteers and technicians, this campaign aims to promote sustainable consumption practices across the FEUP community and strengthen engagement in upcoming editions.

Repair Café initiative!

The typical of a Repair Café@FEUP initiative seeks to engage two main groups in two distinct roles:

1. Skilled Volunteers:

1. • A call is made to actively recruit volunteers of the FEUP academic community with technical skills—particularly in electronics, mechanics, and IT. This opportunity is ideal for engineering students, staff, and anyone with hands-on expertise. The Repair Café offers a practical platform for volunteers to contribute directly to sustainability efforts while applying and sharing their skills/knowledge. Volunteers will receive guidance and supervision, in coordination with LIPOR’s technical team. This allows them to confidently assist participants in diagnosing and repairing various items. Being FEUP a School of Engineering, we anticipate a significant interest from students eager to participate in this community-driven event and gain practical experience.

2. Academic Community Bringing Items for Repair:

Once skilled volunteers are secured, registration will be open for members of academic community who wish to bring small appliances, electronics, computers, and other everyday items for repair.

Pre-registration by November 18th is encouraged to ensure appropriate support for each item. Registering items in advance allow us to better organize the workspace and match volunteers’ expertise with the types of items being brought, leading to a smoother and more efficient repair process.

Results and Reflection:

1. • Successful Repairs: Fixed items will be returned to participants, who will gain valuable tools and knowledge to extend the life of similar items in the future.
   • Unfixable Items: For items that cannot be repaired, volunteers will provide recycling guidance, ensuring materials are disposed of responsibly.

Sustainability Impact

Through this Campaign, FEUP aims to raise awareness of future Repair Café initiatives by showcasing the tangible benefits of repair and reuse. Each successful repair contributes to minimizing landfill waste, reducing the demand for new products, and promoting the circularity of materials. These kinds of events foster an appreciation for sustainable practices, contributing to a waste-free future while building a stronger, more resourceful community.