Wales has saved a million kilos of carbon through repair, but what does that mean?

Thanks to Wales’ growing network of repair cafes, more than a million kilos of carbon emissions have been avoided by fixing the things we already own, instead of throwing them away and buying new.

That’s big.

It’s the same impact as a petrol car driving 11.2 million miles – or travelling the full length of the A470 more than 60,000 times. And it’s been delivered by volunteers, in community spaces, right across Wales.

This year’s Fix it February kicked off at a pop-up repair cafe in Cardiff – launching a month of repair, reuse and roll-up-your-sleeves action led by Repair Cafe Wales.

There are now more than 130 repair cafés operating across the country offering free, friendly repair sessions for everything from clothes and bikes to lamps, kettles and small electricals.

And the impact goes well beyond carbon.

Across Wales, repair cafes are becoming places where:

• People learn practical, lifelong skills

• Confidence grows alongside know-how

• Friendships and connections happen naturally

• Communities come together around something positive.

For many people, it’s the first time they’ve ever fixed a toaster, stitched a seam or tested a plug.

That ‘I can actually do this’ moment matters.

Borrowing, sharing and reuse – growing across Wales

Repair is part of a wider, proudly Welsh approach to reuse.

The national library-of-things network, Benthyg Cymru, makes it easy to borrow instead of buy – from tools and DIY kits to household and event equipment.

Reuse projects are also thriving across the country, including:

• Community fridges in Monmouthshire

• Reuse services at recycling centres in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire

• Reuse charity Crest in Conwy which runs four retail outlets selling pre-loved furniture, clothing, and refurbished electricals

• Menter Môn’s Tyfu a Thrwsio initiative on Ynys Môn which not only runs a fixing hub but hosts workshops on upcycling and sewing.

Together, they keep useful things in use – and make wasting less feel normal.

One million kilos – and counting

This milestone isn’t the finish line.

It’s proof of what happens when communities are backed to share skills, help each other and take practical action.

Every repaired zip, every fixed kettle, every borrowed drill. It all adds up.

Fix it February is your invitation to celebrate what Wales has already achieved – and to help save the next million kilos of carbon, one repair at a time.

Find your nearest free repair cafe:
👉 Repair Cafe Wales

Find your nearest library of things:
👉 Benthyg Cymru