Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, has signed the UK Repair and Reuse declaration, which calls on central government and decision makers at all levels to support repair and reuse.
The Repair and Reuse declaration, developed in the summer of 2023 by community groups, national NGOs, and businesses, urges the central government to take decisive action. It calls for measures to make repairs more affordable, such as tax reductions and repair vouchers. The declaration also advocates for the expansion of the UK’s right-to-repair regulations to cover all consumer products, alongside strengthening design standards and removing barriers to repair.
To further support consumers, a repair index should be introduced, enabling people to choose products that are more repairable and durable. The government should prioritise reuse and repair over recycling by setting clear requirements and targets. Lastly, the declaration highlights the importance of nurturing a new generation of repairers through dedicated training programmes and apprenticeships.
In Portsmouth, there are a number of initiatives to support this, including Repair Café which allows repairers to share their skills with people who have broken objects, and Portsmouth Library of Things which helps people to borrow items that they infrequently use.
Over 50 volunteers help run the projects which are there to help reduce waste and carbon, as well as saving residents’ money.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said:
“Repair and reuse are central to achieving a less wasteful economy. They help to tackle climate change and achieve our net-zero ambition, reduce living costs for UK households and create green skilled jobs.
“As a council, we recognise the dedication and hard work of the volunteers and staff who worked to set up Share Portsmouth and run Portsmouth’s Repair Café. These organisations have huge benefits for the environment and reduce waste going into landfill.”
Clare Seek, Founder and CEO of Share (Portsmouth), Repair Café and Portsmouth Library of Things said:
“On a weekly basis we hear from people in Portsmouth that they want to be able to keep their things lasting longer, saving them money, inconvenience and the planet’s resources. And as much as we try to help people repair things at our Repair Café, there are still lots of challenges such as the lack of spare parts and the cost of them.
“It’s great that Portsmouth City Council has supported our call to the Government to make repair and reuse easier.”