If you need more help to repair your radio or other household electrical items

Here’s a list of websites that can help avoid throwing away electrical appliances and electronic technology:

  1. Repair Cafe (Europe, UK and US) — Repair Cafés in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, United Kingdom, United States and many other countries around the world. They offer local places to bring along an item for repair. Often run monthly by volunteers. Check if one is running locally in your area and if you have the skills become a volunteer and share ideas.
  2. Fixing factory (UK London) — “Don’t throw it away” locations in Brent, Camden, UK to bring items for ‘a new lease of life’ and to teach repair skills. See Events for Dr. Laptop sessions
  3. Restart Project (UK and elsewhere) — Restart parties – Community repair events around the World. See their Fixometer for latest achievements.
  4. The Big Repair Project (UK) — helps develop ‘Right to Repair’ government policy and support the UK towards meeting important environmental targets.
  5. iFixit repair guides (UK and elsewhere) — Right to repair and tools to help repair smartphones and other technology.
  6. Open Repair Alliance (International)— “an international group of organisations committed to working towards a world where electrical and electronic products are more durable and easier to repair. Building an Open Repair Data Standard to enable community repair groups around the world to collect and share open data on electronics repairs performed at their events”.
  7. Fishtownsound.com (UK based) — Restorers and suppliers parts for vintage audio including B&O Leak and Quad.

Many recycling centres can also accept electrical items for resale to avoid landfill so please don’t just throw it away!

Note the Open Repair Alliance are promoting an International Repair Day which for 2024 is Saturday, October 19th.

Remember here at Radio Retro most days are repair days and you can find inspiration 24x7x365 if you have the time!

Some countries are actively encouraging repair, for example Austria have voucher scheme which pays up to €200 towards repair costs – see BBC News for more details – Austrian government launches repair scheme for electronic goods

How eco friendly is your next tech device?

When you need to replace or buy your next tech device consider how eco friendly it is. Manufacturers are improving their eco credentials so compare products with this in mind instead of just following the herd.

Here are some ways to get started:

  1. O2 Check your phone’s Eco Rating (UK) – Eco Rating is an independent standard allowing customers to evaluate the impact a mobile phone has on the environment from production, use and disposal.
  2. beeco  (UK) – Market place for eco-friendly products with analysis of Sustainable Electronics 10 Facts You Need to Know
  3. More to come…