Kitsap County hosts Fix-it Fairs for residents to give new life to broken items

Caitlin Newman, Kitsap solid waste program coordinator, would like to see more county residents fix their broken items instead of tossing them in the trash.

To that end, Kitsap County is holding events — called "Fix-it Fairs — to match the people with repair knowledge to the owners of defunct lamps, electronics, small appliances and more.

The first event is from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Givens Community and Senior Center in Port Orchard. The next will take place April 25 at Village Green Community Center in Kingston, also from 1 to 4 p.m. Advance registration is not required, but it helps fixers know what to expect. People can register by visiting kcowa.us/fixit or calling Kitsap1 at 360-337-5777.

The three-hour events provide a free repair service for common household items like clothing, lamps, small appliances or electronics, furniture, bicycles, vacuum cleaners, jewelry, toys and outdoor equipment. Lamps and clothing zippers are some of the most-fixed items, Newman said.

“The goals are to have a community event, bring people together to help each other to reduce waste by fixing it instead of replacing it and throwing it away, and reinvigorate fixing culture in general,” Newman said.

She said the events also help connect people to repair businesses in the county. In some cases, fixers sometimes get inspired to start their own business.

The “fixers” are community members who may own a repair business or are retirees or hobbyists. Some volunteer, Newman said, while others receive a stipend from Zero Waste Washington, which partnered with Kitsap Solid Waste using a grant to pay fixers.

This will be the first time Kitsap County has hosted a Fix-it Fair, though Indianola Beach Improvement Community Club hosted ones in 2018 and 2019, which inspired the event, Newman said. Zero Waste Washington also supports Fix-it Fairs in other parts of Western Washington.

More Fix-it Fairs are in the works, Newman said, and the events may feature various specialty repairs. The Port Orchard Fix-it Fair will host a knife-sharpening business so attendees can get kitchen knives sharpened.

One or two items can be mended at a time, though people can join the back of the waiting list once those items are repaired if they have more in need of fixing. Thirty minutes before the end of the event, no one else will be added to the waiting list.

Those who wish to have items repaired should only bring those that can easily be carried by one person, and if an item needs a specialized part, they should bring that as well. The items should not be leaking or dangerous, contain gasoline or have a strong odor. Clothing or textiles in need of repair should be washed.

There’s no guarantee that an item can be fixed at the Fix-it Fair, and some attendees may need to go to the store to purchase a repair part. Repairs are first-come, first-served and a waiver must be signed before items can be repaired.