International Repair Day

International Repair Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday in October, and in 2025 it falls on 18 October. This day is dedicated to promoting the value of repairing what’s broken, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable, community-driven repair efforts. It shines a light on the power of repair—not only as a practical skill but as a mindset that encourages sustainability and personal empowerment.

History of International Repair Day

International Repair Day was first launched in 2017 by a group called the Open Repair Alliance, which brought together organizations that support community repair around the world. The idea was to create a day when people everywhere could come together to fix things, learn repair skills, and share stories about restoring broken items instead of throwing them away. Since that first celebration, the day has steadily grown in popularity, with more events, workshops, and gatherings taking place each year.

What began as a grassroots effort has become a global movement for change. Each year, the day emphasizes the importance of creating a repair-friendly culture and advocating for the “right to repair”—a push for companies to design products that are easier to fix and for consumers to have access to parts, tools, and information. The day encourages both personal action and broader social change.

Why is International Repair Day important?

We live in a world where it’s often easier and cheaper to throw something away than to fix it. But that habit comes at a big cost—both for our wallets and the environment. International Repair Day reminds us that most things can be repaired, and that doing so can help reduce the mountains of waste we produce each year. It encourages us to slow down, look at what’s broken, and ask: can this be saved?

But this day is about more than just fixing objects. It’s also about rebuilding a sense of connection—to our belongings, our communities, and our own abilities. When you repair something, there’s a deep sense of satisfaction. It brings people together, sharing tools and knowledge, and revives traditions of self-sufficiency and care. There’s something quietly radical in saying, “I don’t need to throw this away. I can fix it.”

Here are a few ways the day adds value:

• It helps reduce waste and supports sustainability
• It inspires people to learn hands-on repair skills
• It builds community through shared activity
• It supports small local repair businesses
• It encourages companies to make repairable products

How to Observe International Repair Day

Getting involved with International Repair Day can be as simple as picking up a screwdriver and tackling that small repair you’ve been putting off. It could be a lamp that stopped working, a wobbly chair, or a zipper that needs fixing. You might also check if there’s a local repair café nearby where volunteers help fix everything from electronics to clothing while teaching you how to do it yourself.

If you’re not handy yet, this is a great day to learn. Watch tutorials, ask someone who knows, or just take the first step. Sharing your repair journey online can also inspire others. Whether you’re fixing something alone or with others, the key is to see repair not as a chore, but as a celebration of care, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Some practical ideas:

• Visit a local repair café or host a mini event with friends
• Try fixing something at home instead of replacing it
• Share your repair story on social media
• Teach a child or friend how to do a simple repair
• Support local fixers or small repair businesses

International Repair Day Dates Table