When was the last time you fixed something that was broken? If your cell phone breaks, do you even consider repairing it? If a sock has a hole in it, you fix it, throw it away, or in my case, turn it into a rag! If a part of your food processor breaks, do you order that part or throw away the entire unit? The next time something breaks, stop before you throw it away (and add it to our landfills)… consider your options:
- repair shop – yes, repair shops still exist, and it is worth asking how much a repair would cost. My three teenage sons are always trying to justify replacing broken electronics in the name of new technology, but their wallets don’t always allow it! My son’s iPod screen cracked and he was able to repair it for $50 instead of replacing it with the newer model for $200. Sure, he would have liked the newer model, but he couldn’t afford it. He lives within your means!
- Super glue – I love super glue! In the past few months, I’ve used super glue to: repair the bottom of my son’s sneakers, repair a Christmas ornament, and fix a knob on my bathroom drawer. Superglue is my 30 second fix! I suggest always keeping some on hand, and I’m a fan of small, single-use superglues, so you never have to worry about it drying out.
- replace a part – You can often go online and order a cheap replacement part for something like your food processor.
- donate it – Years ago, I used to volunteer at a community thrift sale and was always surprised to discover that there is a market for broken electronics. Technicians love to fix broken things or just use them as parts! Give your waste a second life!
- recycle, recycle, recycle – Many things can be recycled, so check it before you throw it away. Did you know that many stores offer trade-in programs?
Let’s “dump” our throwaway society, and opt for budget and earth friendly alternatives!