Fixing Factory expansion continues with new site in Haringey

The site is the latest and largest addition to the Fixing Factory network, following earlier launches in Camden and Hackney.

Fixing Factory is a non-profit project launched in 2022, run in partnership by climate charity Possible and the Restart Project, with funding from the National Lottery Climate Action Fund.

The Haringey site was also supported by Haringey Council, who sent out an expression of interest and then aided Fixing Factory in finding a space in the borough

Haringey Councillor Mike Hakata commented on the opening: “This initiative brings people together to learn repair skills, reduce e-waste and keep valuable electronics in use for longer.

“It’s exactly the kind of practical, community-led project that tackles consumption emissions whilst building social cohesion and driving forward the circular economy here in Haringey.”

‘A Fixing Factory in every community’

At the Haringey Fixing Factory, residents will be able to bring in faulty electrical items to be assessed and repaired with the help of skilled volunteers.

The largest site so far, the Fixing Factory will take in old items delivered by Veolia, refurbishing and redistributing them through resale or donation schemes.

The site will also host workshops aimed at giving local people practical fixing experience and the confidence to maintain and repair everyday items themselves, and provide a Future Fixers course to skill up beginner volunteers.

Sarah Howden, Head of Sustainable Consumption at Possible, explained: “Skills development is really important for us. We’ve trained over 200 people in repair skills over the last couple of years, and we want to do lots more of that with this site, which is then a pathway into green jobs.”

Organisers said the aim is not only to keep products in use for longer but to promote a wider shift away from the “take-make-waste” model of consumption towards a repair-based economy.

According to Possible, the approach will help reduce waste while supporting local residents facing cost-of-living pressures.

Howden added: “We know people are sick of having electrical items break, and being unable to fix them. Broken appliances cost time and money to replace, clutter up homes, and damage nature.

“The new Fixing Factory will help Haringey residents save money, learn new fixing skills, gain paid repair work, and come together with their neighbours to end our throwaway society.”

Growing appetite for repair

Since the first Fixing Factories opened, the initiative has already engaged nearly 1,000 people in community sessions and refurbished over 600 items in 2024.

The scheme will also accept vouchers from the NWLA’s repair voucher scheme, which offers residents in Hackney, Haringey and Waltham Forest 50% off professional repairs for electronics.

In a poll from London Recycles, around 73% of Londoners said they would prefer to repair items rather than replace them if it were easier to do so, and a similar proportion want to learn new repair skills to save money.

However, almost two-thirds report a lack of nearby repair options or high repair costs as key barriers.

Howden commented: “Haringey already has a strong culture of repair, with volunteers across the borough rolling up their sleeves to help others fix crucial everyday items like toasters and kettles.

“We’re proud to be working with them in fighting the growth of electronic waste in the UK.”