Long Beach ‘Fixit Clinics’ can help you repair broken household items

Are you holding onto a beloved lamp that won’t turn on anymore? Or a pair of vintage jeans that are in desperate need of a sewing machine?

Instead of leaving them for the landfill, you can bring those broken items to Long Beach’s Fixit Clinics to get help repairing them alongside your neighbors.

The city’s Public Works Department will host this year’s first free event on Saturday, in partnership with Algalita Marine Research and Education, Pedal Movement, the Long Beach Reuses coalition, and the Long Beach Time Exchange.

Tory Romero,  recycling specialist with the Long Beach Public Works Department, told LAist they want people to know repair is a real option instead of instantly replacing broken household items.

“ We really want to eliminate the throwaway culture as best that we can,” she said. “Of course, not everything can be repaired. But why not give it a chance?”

How fixing stuff works

When you arrive at a clinic with a broken item in hand, you’ll be matched with a volunteer coach. These coaches, known as “fixers” or “tinkerers,” come prepared with a tool kit in whatever they specialize in — whether its mechanics, electrical equipment, or a needle and thread.

But you won’t just drop the item off, you’ll be sitting side by side while you work on it together.

“They teach each other things, and they hopefully repair the item that that attendee has brought,” Romero said. “It's really great to have all the collaboration, all the community connection.”

Many of the coaches are older adults, and Emily Wanous, Algalita’s engagement director, told LAist that volunteering has been a “beautiful” opportunity to share some of their generational knowledge with younger people.

Lamps and small kitchen appliances are the most common items that come into the clinics. But they’ve also repaired a century old lace umbrella, a vintage jewelry box with a twirling ballerina, CD players, bikes, and a backpack strap.

The bigger picture

A Fixit Clinic attendee celebrating a repaired item.

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Courtesy of Long Beach Fixit Clinics

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Emily Wanous

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At last year’s three clinics, they were able to serve about 200 people and divert nearly 2,000 pounds of waste from landfills. 

The clinics have about a two thirds success rate, but one of the overall goals is to empower people through sustainable behavior.

“ Fixit Clinics are a direct act of resistance to this throwaway culture of consumerism that dominates much of our society today,” Wanous said. “And I think in a world where products are designed to be disposable, these clinics encourage repair over replacement.”

Upcoming Fixit Clinics

You can stop by the next Fixit Clinic from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Sports Basement, 2100 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach.

The organizers noted they're especially excited for this event.

They’ll have a reusable bag making table in anticipation of a recent state measure that bans all plastic shopping bags starting next year, Ashley Craig, founder of the Long Beach Reuses coalition, told LAist.

“We want to be a part of the community transition for that,” Craig said.

They also have clinics planned for April 27, July 19, and Oct. 11.

“ I think one of the biggest takeaways is that there's a carbon footprint to all of these things that we buy and … it makes so much sense to repair,” Craig said. “And things can be repaired, which is really the exciting part. It creates some real positive feelings in the community.”

Want to help fix things?

If you love to tinker or want to help your neighbors, you can also volunteer to be a coach, which Romero said is critical for making this program successful. They have about 20 repeat volunteers, but there's room for more.

A "tinkerer" at the Long Beach Fixit Clinics.

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Courtesy of Long Beach Fixit Clinics

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Emily Wanous

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You don’t need to be a total repair expert, you just need to be open to the experience.

They accept volunteers who are good at taking directions and can shadow another coach for future clinics. They also accept people who can help support the event by greeting attendees and connecting them with coaches.

“ They just want to be part of this community as well,” Romero said. “Maybe they are too shy to pop open any items to try and fix them, but they are there.”

You can RSVP as an attendee or coach here. They’ll accept walk-ins, but only if they have enough time. They highly encourage signing up for a slot in advance.

And if you have any tools or supplies you don’t use anymore, you can donate them to the clinics by emailing: lbreuses@gmail.com. They’re looking for sewing machines, solders, electric screwdrivers, and more.