Members of the community came out once again to give household items a second life.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) held its second Repair Cafe this year, with a focus on clothes and electronics such as lamps.
Asha Rai, a University of British Columbbia student from Surrey, was volunteering her sewing skills at the cafe on jeans and shirts.
“I’m in conservation biology and I’ve been trying to get involved with climate actions,” she told the Langley Advance Times.
Through a friend’s connection at the society, Rai was invited to help at the repair cafe by Sarah Cutting, education coordinator of LEPS.
She also brought some spare parts for work-related clothing, like specialty buckles and clips, for people who may not have access to those types of repairs.
“I feel like if I can help in a space, then I will… it can be expensive to repair your gear,” Rai said.
Growing up with her grandmother, Rai watched her sew her family’s suits and cultural attire. Eventually, she learned how to use the family’s factory sewing machine to tailor their clothes herself.
“If you can find a way to reuse or repurpose something, it’s always better – or donations are something that needs to be considered more… not just for textiles, but for electronics, batteries, glass all fit the bill of needing to be removed from landfills,” she concluded.
Cutting said these types of events are important for the community.
“We’re trying to promote sustainability. Items can be repaired, they can be fixed, instead of being thrown in the landfill,” she said.
On site was also a professional shredding truck, which securely shredded any paper documents to be recycled.
A date hasn’t been decided yet, but LEPS plans to have one more repair cafe by the end of this year.
READ ALSO: CARES hosts 20th annual walk for cats fundraiser in Langley
IN OTHER NEWS: Pickets at Starbucks? Baristas vote for possible strike in Langley, Surrey
