Germany promotes repair culture through school projects and community cafes

Efforts to promote sustainability and reduce waste through repair culture are gaining traction in Germany. In Berlin, a project supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation teaches students practical repair skills. Students learn to fix items such as bicycle tubes using specialized tools like leak detectors, sew buttons, and use drills, emphasizing that broken objects do not always need to be discarded.

In Viernheim, the Repair Café at the Catholic Social Center provides a community space for residents to fix everyday items. Volunteers assist visitors in repairing household appliances, lamps, toys, bicycles, computers, mobile phones, and clothing. The initiative aims to save raw materials and reduce waste by encouraging people to repair rather than replace, while also offering a space for community interaction.