SHOE REPAIR// Fixing What You Own is Part of "Sustainable Living"
Repair is one way to reduce waste. For some people, repairing may be second nature, but for others, repairing or mending might be a new practice. To me, repairing stuff is part of the responsibility of owning objects. Even if you decide you don’t want the thing anymore, repairing it before you sell, trade, or donate it increases the chances of it being used again. It helps keep items out of the landfill and within the circular economy.
If we know who we are and what we need or like, then we buy once and don’t waste hours searching for our identity in things. Reducing the amount of new stuff we bring into our lives also reduces our waste footprint.
So how do you know when to repair heels? The folks at Dimar Shoe Repair in Guelph Ontario @dimarshoerepair where I get my shoe repairs done, helped me with this. On these boots, there’s a thin flat section at the bottom of the heel about a quarter of an inch thick (see image for example) that’s built differently than the rest of the heel. You need to replace the thin bottom section when it wears down but BEFORE the wear starts to eat into the rest of the heel. This is an easy fix because it’s just a small section that needs replacing rather than reconstructing the entire heel base (like this 2017 repair). It will also cost less. This applies to some other shoes (Birkenstocks, before wear goes into the cork)
Supporting local repair businesses means you build connections within your community, contribute to your local economy, and put money into the repair industry. Investing in repair is also a form of activism when held against the cultural backdrop of mass consumption and single use.
Have you repaired things besides clothing or footwear? Maybe furniture or appliances? Figure out what resources you have available, visit local shops, ask questions, sign up for classes, watch video tutorials, or take books out of the library. Empower yourself with resources and services that help you participate in the circular economy.