#PortlandMaine - Love bikes? Learn how to fix them! VOLUNTEER!

#PortlandGearHub

"It’s a new season and we have new volunteer opportunities for you to consider:

"Join us to work collaboratively with staff and experienced volunteers to process, recycle and fix incoming #BikeDonations! The bikes we fix contribute to the #BikesForAllMainers, Kids Bike Parties, and other programs. All sessions are open to beginners, and people of all skill levels.

Location: The spring & summer volunteer sessions take place at the at 155 Washington Ave, Portland, Maine.

Time: Sessions are from 11am – 1pm, available 2x/week:

Every Thursday & Saturday

Activities: Volunteer activities change based on the season, see below for details:

- Spring, summer & early fall volunteers work outside in the volunteer patio at 155 Washington Ave, and either dissemble bikes to salvage parts or fix kids bikes, single speed coaster brake bikes, for Kids Bike Party programs.
- Late fall & winter, volunteers work with staff at the Bike School to fix bikes that will be given away in our Bikes for All Mainers Program. Each session will focus on a specific area or part of the bike, and together volunteers will learn how to assess and fix it."

FMI (and to register to volunteer):
https://portlandgearhub.org/support/
#Bicycles #BicycleRepair #RepairHub #SolarPunkSunday

#RepairCafé In #EastBrunswickNJ Will Help Keep Items Out Of Landfills

by Sarah Salvadore, January 9, 2025

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — "The East Brunswick Public #Library and the East Brunswick #Sustainability Task Force are organizing their first-ever Repair Café.

"This community-based initiative will help residents keep still usable items out of landfills by promoting repairs instead of throwing them out.

"Any item in need of repairs can be brought in to be fixed on the spot. Volunteer repairers will be on hand to help.

"Residents can bring clothing/textiles (shirts, pants, sweaters, knitted blankets, etc.) and jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc.).

"Examples of repairs can be an afghan with moth holes, pants with a tear in the knee, broken links on necklaces and bracelets that are coming undone.

"The Repair Café will be held at the library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/repair-caf%C3%A9-in-east-brunswick-will-help-keep-items-out-of-landfills/ar-BB1rbcY6
#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #RightToRepair #DIY #PlannedObsolescence #FixIt

#BelfastMaine Community Works

"Our Mission: To be a shared space for makers, builders, and dreamers of all ages that enriches our community and encourages innovation, creativity, and connections throughout Belfast and beyond.

"Belfast Community Works is an enthusiastic group of volunteers dedicated to sharing and learning repair skills with the greater Belfast community. We aim to give new life to well-worn items as we strive to divert waste from the landfill and build community self-reliance. We do our best to repair broken electronics, housewares, appliances, clothing, and more!

Belfast Community Works'
#RepairCafe

Build community - Save money - Keep stuff out of the landfill.

Free event! All are welcome!

https://belfastcommunityworks.org/belfast/
#RightToRepair #RepairCafesMaine #Maine #DIY #RepairCafé #FixIt #SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #PlannedObsolescence

#NorwayMaine - #SeedSwap

Thu Feb 27th 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, 447 Main St, Norway, ME 04268, USA

"Join us for our annual seed swap! Bring seeds to share if you have them, but feel free to come even if you don't have any - we'll have plenty to share. We'll also have seed starting calendars and gardening books to lend. Scott Vlaun will give a short presentation about seed saving basics, and as a community, we’ll discuss starting a local seed library. We’ll also have some #scions to swap and offer a tutorial on #grafting onto #rootstock." |

https://tockify.com/ecology/detail/1099/1740691800000
#MaineSeedSwaps #SolarPunkSunday #SeedLibraries #Gardening #GardeningTechniques #StartingASeedLibrary #CenterForEcologyBasedEconomy

#BurnhamOnSea #RepairCafe returns today to fix household items for free

January 8, 2025

"Burnham-On-Sea Repair Cafe returns today (Wednesday, January 8th) with volunteers on hand to help repair household items.

"The Burnham-On-Sea repair cafe is held every first Wednesday of the month from 10am-1pm at the Waffle Hub in Burnham’s College Street at the Methodist Church.

"The free service launched in 2023 for local residents to help them save money by getting items fixed, avoiding new purchases, and also reducing the number of items that go unnecessarily to landfill.

"Leader Biddy Hammond told Burnham-On-Sea.com: 'Around 500 items have been repaired by our wonderful team of volunteers over the past year.'

"'We can’t repair everything that is brought in, but our team will have a look and make an assessment whether they can help or refer to other specialists.'

"'Around 70% of the things brought in are repaired or fixed, saving people money and avoiding it going to #landfill.'

"'Why throw it away when you can try the Repair Cafe? Clothing, furnishings, small household electricals and other items, including toys and portable items, can be brought along to our willing band of volunteers. There’s no charge, although donations are welcome.'

"The #HighbridgeRepairCafe is held every third Saturday of the month at The Purple Spoon, YMCA, #Highbridge from 10:00am – 1:00pm."

Source:
https://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/burnham-on-sea-repair-cafe-returns-today-to-fix-household-items-for-free-2/
#SomersetUK #UKRepairCafes #RepairCafesUK#FixIt #SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #RightToRepair #DIY #PlannedObsolescence

[Humor?] And what to do after we #YeetTheRich? Human remains are compostable -- but they have to be buried deep into a compost pile!

Can You Put Dead Animals In Compost? (Yes, here’s how…)

January 25, 2022 by SethB

"Everything from roadkill to humans can be successfully composted"

https://thatbackyard.com/can-i-compost-dead-animals/#google_vignette
#PostCapitalism #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #Composting

#WashingtonStateRepairCafes - #RepairCafes & #FixIts

The What

- Repair Cafes & Fix-its (or Fix-it Fairs/Repair Fairs/Repair Cafés) are free community gatherings in which people with repair skills share their time and talents to fix their neighbors’ belongings.
- These gatherings can be organized by friends, a neighborhood group, a nonprofit organization, or even a city or county entity. They range in size from a handful of people to a few hundred!

The How & Why

- Organizers designate a time and place for people to gather and community members bring items that are broken, torn, or otherwise non-functional.
- Then, volunteer fixers do their utmost to get the items back in working order (at no cost to the community member) while sharing information about the repair process with the item’s owner.
- When feasible, a fixer may invite the owner of an item to participate in the repair in order to boost knowledge and confidence that anyone can fix things!
- This not only creates an opportunity to spark meaningful connections with others and help community members get new life out of beloved possessions, it saves items from going to the landfill!

Common services

- Bike repair
- Sewing and mending
- Small appliance and electronic tinkering
- Woodworking
- Knife and tool sharpening
- Jewelry repair
- Computer and device repair

Other Services

Groups may choose to add other “stations” that draw on unique talents, interests, or needs in their community. These may include things like:

- Plant and Seed Swap
- Gardening advice and soil analysis
- Paper and Fabric Crafting
- Free Table (where you can bring things you no longer need and pick up items you do)
- Haircuts
- Instrument repair
- Word-Smithing (advice on resumes, creative writing, and more)

Learn more:
https://dev.repaireconomywa.org/fix-repair/
#RepairCafe #RepairCafes #StartingARepairCafe #SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafesWashingtonState #BuildingCommunity #FixIt #DIY #RightToRepair #RightToRepairMovement #CircularEconomy

#Rewilding #Romania advances river #restoration project in #SouthernCarpathians

Irina Marica, 04 December 2024

"#RewildingRomania has successfully completed the first phase of its river restoration project in the Southern Carpathians, an effort backed by a EUR 74,700 grant from the #EuropeanOpenRiversProgramme. Moving forward, the organization plans to apply for new grants starting next year to continue its long-term efforts to improve river connectivity and restore #biodiversity.

Over four months, the team mapped 72 barriers across five key river catchments - #Belareca, #PârâulRece, #Feneș, #Sebeș, and #Bistra. These include 39 dams, 26 weirs, 3 natural waterfalls, and other obstacles impacting river connectivity.

"This phase enabled the inventory of species, assessment of the impact of these barriers, and the prioritization of those suitable for removal. Rewilding Romania has also established clear priorities for future actions and is preparing to advance to the next two phases of the initiative, which require additional funding.

"Marina Drugă, Team Leader at Rewilding Romania, stated: “The progress we’ve made in identifying and evaluating river barriers is an essential step toward restoring aquatic ecosystems and the habitats of numerous fish species. This initiative is part of our long-term vision to enable rivers to flow freely again and restore natural processes. By undertaking scientifically grounded interventions and feasibility studies that account for associated risks, we aim to generate sustainable benefits for both biodiversity and local communities.'

"The project, funded by the Open Rivers Programme, will continue until the end of March 2025 and ensures the completion of the first phase of Rewilding Romania’s broader river restoration initiative.

"Upon concluding this phase, the organization plans to secure additional funding to proceed with subsequent phases of the same initiative: phase two - conducting technical feasibility studies and obtaining the necessary permits and phase three - the actual removal of the selected barriers.

"Planned actions for 2025 include collaborating with land owners to secure the necessary consent for removals, engaging with stakeholders, and creating a report with best practices to guide similar initiatives.

"Rewilding Romania is working to ensure the long-term health of aquatic ecosystems in the Southern Carpathians by increasing river connectivity, improving breeding habitats, and boosting the resilience of key species. Removing obsolete barriers will improve sediment transport and water quality, benefiting several fish species."

https://www.romania-insider.com/rewilding-romania-advances-river-restoration-carpathians-2024

#SolarPunkSunday #NativePositiveApproaches #RestoringNature #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #RestoreTheRivers #OpenRivers

Campaigners present ‘#VisionOfHope’ for #Scotland to become #rewilding nation - #ScottishRewildingAlliance said the country can ‘lead the movement for global change’.

"We also need to support #nature to help address the #ClimateCrisis and to create a climate resilient Scotland. We know we must protect and restore the natural environment for future generations."

Nick Forbes
Wednesday 04 December 2024

"A campaign group calling for Scotland to be declared the world’s first '#RewildingNation' has presented the Scottish Government with proposals for rewilding 30% of the country’s land and seas.

"The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 conservation and nature-focused organisations, presented what it called its 'vision of hope' to Scotland’s climate action minister, Alasdair Allan, during a reception in Edinburgh.

"The alliance said rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved if ministers 'show leadership' and commit to 'meaningful action' to restore habitats including #peatlands, native #woodlands, #wetlands, #rivers and #seas.

"It said this can be achieved while maintaining and benefiting productive #farmland.

"Doing so, they said, would help tackle the connected nature and climate emergencies, and create benefits for people and local communities around health, jobs, sustainable food production, re-peopling, clean air and water, and healthy rivers and seas."

Read more:
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/scotland-government-brian-cox-b2658647.html?trk=public_post_comment-text

#ProtectTheForests #SolarPunkSunday #NativePositiveApproaches #FoodSecurity #RestoringNature #OceansAreLife #LandIsLife #RestoreTheForests

#Maine #RightToRepair Law Poised to Remain in Flux Even After January 2025 Effective Date

December 19, 2024

"The Automotive Right to Repair Working Group convened by the Maine Attorney General will review proposed legislation that would substantially amend provisions of the Maine Right to Repair Law concerning access to mechanical data from #telematics-equipped vehicles. Meanwhile, it appears provisions of the law requiring manufacturers of vehicles that 'use a telematics system” to comply with standards imposed by an “independent entity' designated by the Attorney General will take effect on January 5, 2025, even though neither the 'independent entity' nor standards for telematics systems will exist by that date.

"In November 2023, Maine voters approved a ballot initiative to require that, within one year of the effective date, vehicles using a telematics system sold in that state be equipped with an interoperable, standardized, and owner-authorized access platform across all of the manufacturer's makes and models. The statute requires that this platform be able to 'securely communicate' all 'mechanical data' emanating from the vehicle; make this data 'directly accessible' by the vehicle owner through a mobile-based application; and, upon authorization of the vehicle owner, 'all mechanical data must be directly accessible by an independent repair facility.' The statute gives vehicle owners and independent repair facilities denied access to mechanical data a private right of action to recover treble damages or $10,000, whichever is greater.

"The ballot initiative further requires the Attorney General to designate an 'independent entity' to 'establish and administer' access to vehicle-generated data that is transmitted by a 'standardized access platform.' The 'independent entity' is empowered to refer violations to the Attorney General, who in turn can 'institute an action' to 'enforce' the law, although no remedy for such a violation is defined in the statute. The requirements for telematics-equipped vehicles are supposed to take effect January 5, 2025—one year after the effective date of the ballot initiative—but to date the Maine Attorney General has not designated an 'independent entity' to develop standards or otherwise regulate data access platforms."

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/maine-right-to-repair-law-poised-to-3403488/

#BigAuto #RightToRepair #RightToRepairMovement #SolarPunkSunday

16 places to responsibly dispose of old #electronics in #Philadelphia

When not properly recycled, #Ewaste can leach into the waterways — and we miss a chance to get more use out of precious materials.

Words by McKenzie Morgan
Nov 30, 2024

"For many Philadelphians, old #CellPhones, #laptops and other #electronics gather dust in drawers or boxes in the back of closets.

"When residents finally start to feel fed up with the clutter or during their annual spring cleanings, these devices are sometimes tossed into the trash or blue recycling bins. These forgotten electronics have become a part of a growing citywide e-waste problem.

"Philadelphia creates around 1.5 million tons of residential and commercial waste annually, according to government initiative SmartCityPHL. Electronics and textiles comprise about 10% of the city’s waste stream. The rest is sent to incinerators and landfills, bringing hazardous and resource-rich materials with it.

"But the good news is, there’s something residents can do about it.

"While giving up or not upgrading our devices isn’t always an option, getting them out of our curbside bins and landfills is. The Philadelphia metro region has over a dozen facilities where you can donate and properly recycle your e-waste, keeping them out of landfills and giving them new life.

Here’s a guide to places in the Philadelphia region to responsibly dispose of old electronics."

Read more:
https://technical.ly/civic-news/electronics-recycling-phone-computer-philadelphia-2/

#EWasteRecycling #SmartCityPHL #SolarPunkSunday #ReduceReuseRecycle #RecycleElectronics #RecycleCopper #ElectronicsRecycling

What Are #RepairCafes & How They Can Protect The Planet

January 26, 2022

"We live in a throwaway society, one which creates vast amounts of waste while using up valuable resources for mass manufacturing. This can lead many to start reducing their waste on an individual level, in particular moving away from #plastic, but did you know there are also vital community-run initiatives that can make a huge difference to our global waste problem?

"Alongside #LibrariesOfThings, which reduce consumption, there are also repair cafes, which help items last longer. Here’s why they’re vital to a sustainable future.

"What is a Repair Cafe?

"Repair cafes are free meeting places where people come together to fix things. Unofficial community repair groups have likely been around for a long time, but the model as we now know it was created by #MartinePostma. Postma organised the very first repair cafe in Amsterdam in October 2009, which was a resounding success. She then founded the Repair Cafe Foundation in 2011, a non-profit providing professional support to local groups wanting to start repair cafes. There are now over 2000 repair cafes in over 35 countries around the world.

"In a repair cafe you can usually find tools and materials needed to fix items such as electrics, clothes, bikes, furniture, and more. You can also find expert volunteers, with repair skills in different areas, to help you. Most repair cafes also teach essential mending skills such as sewing buttons, fixing zips, and wiring plugs, helping people learn something by watching and working with volunteers.

"Repair cafes focus on making things last, saving people money and helping the environment by reducing consumption, manufacture, and use of raw materials."

Read more:
https://ethicalunicorn.com/2022/01/26/what-are-repair-cafes-how-they-can-protect-the-planet/

#SolarPunkSunday #RightToRepairMovement
#HackerSpace #Repair #CircularEconomy #RightToRepair #ReduceReuseRepair

#SeedLibraries Are Sprouting Up Around the Pine Tree State

#Maine libraries have added seed “borrowing” to their growing list of resources.

By Nora Saks, Downeast Magazine, April 2024

"Among the study tables and the stacks of books and the periodical reading rooms, at public libraries from North Berwick to Milbridge to Bangor, seeds have suddenly taken root in the catalog — often quite literally, with the drawers of stately old card catalogs now used for little packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Whether green-thumbed or plain old green, anyone can drop by for some free garden fodder, which is usually donated by community members, Maine seed companies (like #Johnnys and #Fedco), and garden centers.

"Seed libraries took off early in the pandemic, as many people turned their attention to tending their homes and gardens. Now, libraries tend to pair seed lending with how-to programming, often in partnership with local garden clubs. Some libraries also encourage 'borrowers' to save seeds from their crop and then drop them off at the end of the growing season, but that’s not a requirement (and there are no late fees).

"Lisa Ladd, director of Bucksport’s Buck Memorial Library, sees seeds fitting nicely into libraries’ broader mission to make knowledge and resources accessible to the public. 'As libraries continue to evolve, we’re always looking for ways to meet the community outside of our walls and offer programs that touch different ages and all walks of life...'"

More information (including a list of seed libraries):
https://downeast.com/home-and-garden/maine-seed-libraries/

#SolarPunkSunday #SeedLibraries #SeedBanks #CommunityAgriculture #BigAg #SeedSharing #HierloomSeeds #MaineLibraries