Waste Not, Want Not!

One woman has started a make do and mend revolution that could make Edinburgh a Zero Waste city

- Wendy Glass

IT’S the time of year when we’re all tempted to spend,spend, spend – but an innovative social enterprise isurging us to repair, recycle and re-use instead.

“We’re leading the way in Scotland’s repair revolution,” says Sophie Unwin, founder and director of Edinburgh Remakery, an award-winning social enterprise in the heart of Leith which teaches repair skills and sells recycled IT equipment and furniture.

“We want to transform the way people use and dispose of resources, encourage manufacturers to build things that last and can be fixed, and make sure there are facilities where people can repair broken or damaged items.

“We don’t need this stream of shiny, new ‘stuff’,” continues Sophie. “We need to stop throwing things away, rediscover being thrifty and embrace make do and mend.”

The displays in the Remakery’s shop windows are proof of its commitment to repair, recycle and re-use. There’s a range of pine bedroom furniture, several upcycled chairs in various eye-catching colours and textiles, a selection of “pre-loved” laptops, and posters advertising dressmaking, woodwork and upholstery workshops, as well as one-to-one tuition in IT repairs.

“This is where people learn how to fix things and buy things that have been fixed,” Sophie explains as she leads me through to the woodwork workshop, where experts give bashed or stained furniture a new lease of life.