Got a busted electrical plug, wobbly bike, dull knife, pot-bound plant, or pants in need of some TLC? Don’t toss it—fix it! Clean North is delighted to host the next Repair Cafe, happening Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 at 96 Great Northern Rd.
This waste-busting event is part of a global movement to keep fixable items out of landfills while empowering people with repair know-how. Skilled volunteers will be on hand to tackle several types of repairs, giving new life to your favorite stuff instead of sending it to the dump:
- Repotting house plants (bring your pot)
- Clothing repairs and sock darning
- Jewelry—clasps, jump rings and untangling
- Leather—repair holes, reburnish, patch, resew, hardware repair
- Tablets, phones and laptops—diagnostics, cleaning and consultations
- Small wood repairs
- Small electrical repairs
- Garden hose repair
- Guitar stringing
- Bike spring tune up/minor repairs
- Knife sharpening (no scissors)
Also, the Friends of the Library will be there with their pop-up bookstore including fix-it and gardening books as well as some fiction. They will also be accepting donations of gently used books.
We will be collecting the following items for redistribution/recycling:
- Eyeglasses
- Shoes—in usable condition
- Crayons
- Soda/drink can pull tabs
- Books for Friends of the Library
- Egg cartons
- Reusable shopping bags—must be clean
- Lock City milk bags
How the Repair Cafe works
- Bring an item in need of repair (per person; you can bring an extra or two in case we have time to fix all)
- Items will go through a triage check to see if they’re fixable.
- If repairable, you’ll sign up, sign a waiver, and wait your turn for expert help.
- Volunteers will help you repair it on the spot or advise on next steps if parts are needed.
Important caveats:
- We have no way to know how many people will show up, so be prepared to be patient if there’s a lineup.
- We also recommend you check our Facebook page regularly the week before the event in case some of the fixers drop out and we are no longer able to provide their service.
This is more than just a fix-it event—it’s a movement toward sustainability
By repairing, reusing, and reducing, we’re cutting down waste being sent to the landfill, helping to delay the day we need to expand our landfill, keeping valuable materials in use, and sharing skills that help build a circular economy. And repairing saves you money, too.
Let’s make broken the new fixable. Join us at the next Repair Cafe to save your stuff, learn a thing or two, and help keep Sault Ste. Marie a little greener.
In gratitude…
We acknowledge the following organizations and people for helping to make our Repair Cafes possible/successful:
- Cafe 4 Good
- City of Sault Ste. Marie
- Ergo Office Interiors
- Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
- Northland Adult Learning Centre (Algoma District School Board)
- Repair Cafe (international)
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25
- Volunteers who helped organize and staff the Repair Cafe
Stay in the loop
- Email us to get on our e-newsletter distribution list: info@cleannorth.org
- Follow us: @cleannorthsault (social media)
🔧♻ Fix it. Don’t pitch it. See you there!
