To repair or to replace—is that still the question?

When something of ours breaks down, gets ruined, or becomes defective, is our first reaction to find a way to repair it? Or would we rather not go through the trouble and simply find a replacement? We’d like to think that many of us may prefer the former (especially in this economy!), but the numbers show otherwise.

Throughout the 20th century, the world’s “thirst for more stuff” has grown. And over the past few decades, with overnight shipping and endless shopping hauls filling our feeds, we’ve consumed more, replaced faster, and held on to things for less time. A lot of it is by design, with manufacturers intentionally building products that will become obsolete faster—no longer ‘fashionable,’ usable, or even fixable. Hello, planned obsolescence. Brands create more products and at a faster pace, urging consumers to keep buying the newest, latest, and trendiest.

While there’s already a movement for more mindful ways to shop—thanks to more people becoming aware of the massive amount of waste generated by the short lifespan of products or docus like Buy Now—there’s still so much more we can do to break the habit of overconsumption, the constant need to replace, and instead push a more radical choice: to repair.

1) Choose your brands wisely

Not all brands are created equal, and that’s not just in terms of their spending power. Big tech companies that make mobile phones and laptops have made their products unfixable, so consumers are led to believe they need to upgrade them (thankfully, they got fined for it!). At the very least, look for brands that offer after-sales repair services and won’t push you to simply replace what you have.

If there is an option, look for local brands that not only produce high-quality products but also avoid releasing multiple collections each year and are actively working to reduce waste. When ANTHILL Fabric Gallery sat down with Common Room co-founder Roma Agsalud on how their handmade clothes succeed in a fast-fashion world, they also shared about their circularity hub, Barrio Studios. The textile recycling center, a social enterprise led by Jamie Naval, found a partner in ANTHILL to repurpose fabric waste. And when ANTHILL acquired Barrio Studios, the two reclaimed 24,000 kilos of textiles and turned them into new fabric, corporate giveaways, and other merchandise.

With so much information available to us these days, it’s easier to know more about the brands we’ve long supported (like this piece we found where you can check cellphone and laptop repairability). There are many reputable news platforms where you can find out if they’re actually doing good things for their market and not just finding ways to make you thoughtlessly spend more.

2) Foster handy skills & fix-it abilities

When it comes to choosing to repair, it’s about knowing where and how to start. We don’t always replace things because we want to. There are a lot of times (if they can be repaired) when we just don’t know where to begin.

We can easily start with our clothes—a top with sentimental value that’s earned a hole from the hundreds of times you’ve worn and washed it, or a beloved pair of pants with a broken zipper. There are several alteration shops even in malls. If you prefer to DIY, tutorial videos showing us how to repair damaged clothes are available. So are community events that promote sewing or a recover & reclaim market that promotes the practice of sharing and repairing instead of replacing.

3) Pick the best tools

As you try to get the hang of mending or repairing before tossing something out, find the right tools that you can use. Sewing materials and mending kits are affordable enough, but power tools to fix things around the house will cost more, and it’ll likely mean embracing your DIY diva era to make the purchase of the tools and materials worth it.

You can also visit places like Mess Studio, where you can not only make crafts but also have access to certain tools and materials under its Craft Pass. Common Room’s newest branch in Spatio at Opus Mall will also have tools and kits you can take home, and a “pabitin” section, where you can rework and accessorize different merch or update old favorites.

4) Know when it’s best to repair or to replace

If we’re to err on the side of caution and practicality, there are things we need to consider when it comes to taking the fixability route. The common advice is not to spend more on repair unless the item is of high quality, relatively new, or has great sentimental value. Another consideration is whether the repair poses safety risks. Will you or the  third-party repair facility you’re hiring have to deal with electrical, pressurized parts, or other components you’re not familiar with? Are there no official repair centers for that particular brand? If the answer is yes, this is where you might take a step back and reassess if repairing the item is the best way to move forward

5) Find another use for the product

When you can’t repair a broken item anymore, you can also consider giving it a second life and another purpose. Upcycling and other forms of repurposing have become more prevalent, and we’re here for it. Common Room makers and founders have upcycled plastic containers into faux ceramic planters, reworked thrifted clothes, and even made a business using old toys and scrap fabrics! We’ve seen a friend take apart electric stand fans—which not even repairmen or junk shops wanted to take anymore—and turn them into a clothes rack; there were also dried teabags with pressed flowers transformed into a charming lamp; or the classic treadle sewing machine of your lola transformed into all types of tables—study, side, bathroom vanity, coffee station, and so much more! We’re only limited by our imagination!

Repairing may have been pushed back in the past few decades in favor of the easier and instantly gratifying habit of buying and replacing. But whenever we choose to repair, whenever we try before we toss, the more we get to shift the norm just a little. Over time, maybe choosing to repair won’t be such a radical choice, but more of a second nature for us all.