Sharing and repairing at Cardiff University

The use of global resources continues to increase at an unsustainable rate. One key contributing factor is the short lifespan of everyday items.

In response, the ‘Circular Economy’ has gained ground in recent years as an approach that prioritises repair, re-use and remanufacture of goods over recycling and end-of-life disposal. This has given rise to international and national policies, as well as a growing range of social movements and charities that aim to facilitate the circular economy. This includes initiatives such as ‘libraries of things’ where donated, non-perishable goods are borrowed; and Repair Cafés, where volunteers meet and repair household items for free - items that might otherwise end up being disposed of as waste.

This project works with Benthyg Cymru (Benthyg is a Welsh word meaning ‘borrow’) and Repair Café Wales to explore and establish more ‘circular economy’ practices for our students and bring about behavioural change to reduce the resources they use and waste.

This project gives students residing in the city access to high quality items that can be borrowed as well as a repair service, so consumer goods do not end up in landfill.

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For more information about the Innovation For All scheme or any of the projects we are supporting, please get in touch: