Fix it, don’t throw it!

What do you do with things when they get damaged? Are you throwing them away, do you recycle or repair them?

At the time of excessive consumerism, we easily throw away things that can be reused with minor repairs, and because we are comfortable, we throw them away instead of considering the possibilities of their reuse. Throwing away culture, which is a direct consequence of consumerism, creates huge amount of waste which is increasing year after year. Such life habits are disastrous for the environment, but also for our budget. Because of that, the Association Sunce has launched a national campaign Together Without Plastics to offer alternative solutions to reduce everyday waste. Sometimes it is enough to fix or repair damaged things and prolong their use.

According to a Eurobarometer survey, 77% of EU citizens would rather repair their products than buy  new ones, and 79% think that manufacturers should be legally obliged to simplify the repair of digital devices or the replacement of their individual parts.

Encouraged by this data, we have prepared several suggestions where you can fix damaged things in Split.

1. Bicycle-repair workshop

For past few years, you can fix your bike for free thanks to the Volunteers of Bicikloporavljaone Popka – Split. This remote bicycle service travels from location to location, with prior notice, and it usualy set’s up in Info Zone at Šperunu on the first and last Wednesday of the month. Due to high interest, the date for bicycle repair needs to be booked, and with Biciklopopravljaona’s volunteers you will have the opportunity to fix your bike and learn how to do it by yourself.

2. Shoemakers

Many crafts in Croatia are slowly disappearing. Although they have not completely disappeared, there are fewer and fewer shoemaker workshops in Split. In the past shoes were made of natural materials, and natural material was easily repaired. Today’s materials are artificial like plastic and rubber that can not be treated or easily processed. People buy shoes, wear them for two or three months, throw them away and buy new ones because it is not worth repairing old ones. We used to have a domestic footwear industry that produced shoes from quality material that could also be obtained in Croatia.

Craftsmanship is part of the history and identity of each city and is extremely important to preserve this tradition. By repairing old footwear you can extend its duration for at least some time and thus help not only the environment but also keep old traditional crafts alive. Find domestic shoemakers on Google Maps and Mojkvart.

Our recommendations:
ZANATSKA RADNJA DRLJE
Vukovarska 106
095 900 6597

3. Watchmakers

With the development of watches, the watchmaking profession was developed. Initially, the watches were mechanical, and the mechanism was maintained every five years. In the meantime, watches began to produce industrially on batteries. But for maintenance, repair or cleaning, the watchmaker were still needed. Although most people are repairing their watches in specialized stores, there are still traditional workshops in the city center of Split. Google Maps or Mojkvart can help you to find it.

4. Tailors

Tailor is a profession that involves sewing and repairing tailor made clothes. It is considered one of the oldest professions. Although we are witnessing the gradual disappearance of small traditional tailoring crafts with arrival of mass industry, this craft is still in demand . Thus, you can find tailors who work for customers with high purchasing power in major world capitals, but also tailors who work in small towns and their skills enable the creation and repair of old clothing to the local people. In Split you can fix clothes in several locations. Find these on Google Maps and Mojkvart.

Our recommendations:
OBRT ZA PROIZVODNJU I USLUGE NELI
Šimićeva 32

5. Carpenter

The carpenter craft is more than 5000 years old. Carpenters produce furniture, construction joinery, formwork, cladding, and various useful items by processing wood and other replacement materials. Modernization of the carpentry trade and adaptation of work techniques to the modern industry has made this profession the profession of the future. With the development of the wood industry, and with the popularization of eco-friendly living habits, wood products have become increasingly popular, as well as carpentry skills. Old wooden furniture by carpentry transformation can become a unique piece of renovated vintage furniture. Therefore, the next time you want to get rid of old furniture, consider its conversion and renovation with a carpenter. You may be surprised at what your old furniture can turn into.

By using traditional crafts, we promote sustainable habits, help preserve old crafts, support reuse culture, and reduce the amount of waste. All this is the basis of the circular economy, which states that it is the most important to ensure the longest possible life of reusable products. So, fix it, don’t throw it!

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