419 Why repairing is better than buying new with Martine Postma from Repair Cafe

Have you ever tossed out a perfectly good appliance simply because you didn't know how to fix it? What if your local community held regular events where skilled volunteers could help you repair almost anything for free? Could learning to fix your belongings instead of replacing them transform both your home and your neighbourhood? 🔗 Read / Listen more: https://declutterhub.com/419 In this episode, Ingrid speaks with Martine Postma, founder of the Repair Café International Foundation, who reveals how a simple idea in Amsterdam sparked a worldwide movement that's changing the way we think about our possessions. You'll discover why repairing items creates a powerful form of decluttering, how these cafes work, and what inspired Postma to turn her concerns about waste into practical community action. Martine shares the remarkable story of launching the very first Repair Café in 2009, when 80 to 100 visitors turned up to repair everything from toasters to treasured jumpers. What started as a single event has grown into a global network of nearly 4,000 cafes across more than 50 countries, repairing an estimated 71,604 items every month. This conversation explores not just the environmental impact but the social connections and skills being revived in communities everywhere. About the Declutter Hub Podcast We're Ingrid and Lesley and are super excited you're here! If you're sick to the back teeth of clutter dictating your home life then we are here to help you get control back and spend your valuable time doing the things you want and not shuffling piles of stuff around 24/7. We have been decluttering and organising homes face to face and online for over 30 years together and have helped thousands of members and clients to regain the home of their dreams. We have a passion for people, practicality, and piles of paper and love nothing better than to carve out solutions for anyone overwhelmed with clutter. If that's you, you're in the right place. Our podcast is packed with actionable tips, inspiration and motivation to get your decluttering done. We believe decluttering is all about emotions first, stuff second. Tune in, subscribe and enjoy! New episodes every Friday. Want more? We have so many ways that you can reach out to us for additional support on your decluttering journey. Free Facebook Group - for community, info and support - The Declutter Hub Community - emotions based decluttering. Instagram - daily reels and posts with decluttering hints and tips - @declutterhub Website - the best place to get access to all our free content - https://declutterhub.com/mp Membership - this is the best place to take your decluttering to the next level https://members.declutterhub.com/mp Book - you can order a copy of Reset Your Home, Unpack your emotions and your clutter, step by step here https://declutterhub.com/book/ Support - if you want signposting in the right direction [email protected] Can you spare 5 minutes of your day to leave us a review? Your reviews mean the podcast can be found more easily which will mean more people get the benefit of our decluttering advice. You can share a review on your chosen podcast player. Don't forget to hit follow or subscribe too. The Declutter Hub 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices