EWWR 2026 – Repair Café@FEUP

EWWR 2026 – Repair Café@FEUP

FEUP’s Repair Café initiatives seek to minimize waste generation by fostering a culture of repair and reuse rather than replacement. By bringing together members of the FEUP community in a collaborative environment supported by skilled volunteers and technicians, this campaign promotes sustainable consumption practices, encourages knowledge sharing, and extends the lifespan of everyday products.

Aligned with the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), the upcoming edition of Repair Café@FEUP takes place on November 25, 2026, at the Coffee Lounge (Block B) from 14:30 to 18:00.

Repair Café Initiative

A typical Repair Café@FEUP initiative brings together two main groups, each playing a complementary role:

1.     Skilled Volunteers (Call Open Until Nov 19)

A call for volunteer repairers is launched across the FEUP academic community, targeting individuals with practical technical skills in areas such as electronics, mechanics, and IT. This opportunity is suited for engineering students, staff, and community eager to apply their expertise to real-world waste prevention.

·       Support & Logistics: Volunteers receive guidance and supervision in collaboration with LIPOR’s technical team, enabling them to confidently diagnose and repair various items.

·       Mobilizing Knowledge: As a leading School of Engineering, FEUP is uniquely positioned to mobilize technical knowledge while providing hands-on experience in a collaborative sustainability project.

·       Volunteer Sign-up: Volunteers can register via the official registration form until November 19, 2026.

2.     Academic Community Bringing Items for Repair

Following the initial call for repair volunteers, registration will open to the FEUP community for participants wishing to bring broken items to the Repair Café session on November 25. The initiative will focus on small household appliances, electrical devices, and electronics. Participants are expected to take an active role in the repair process, working alongside volunteers to diagnose and, where possible, repair their own items, rather than simply dropping them off for repair.

·       Pre-registration: Participants are encouraged to register their items in advance so the team can organize the workspace, match specific expertise to the submitted items, and ensure an efficient repair process.

Results and Reflection

·       Successful Repairs: Participants take their repaired items home with them, while gaining practical insights into troubleshooting, repair techniques and extending product lifecycles..

·       Unrepairable Items: When repair is not feasible, participants receive advice on proper recycling and responsible waste disposal options.

·       Beyond Repair: Repair Café@FEUP is about more than fixing objects, it’s a platform for knowledge transfer, practical skill development, and shifting mindset toward conscious consumption, contributing directly to the core principles of EWWR.