Care for what you have.
Resources
Below are some of our favorite companies, brands, and resources to help you HAVE STUFF WITHOUT BREAKING THE PLANET.
Get your copy of Fixation to learn more about these 5 steps:
1. Have good stuff.
Good stuff is well designed for a long life cycle, made of the right materials, has parts that are easily available and replaceable, and was produced in a socially and environmentally ethical process.
there are a several brands that make good stuff - figuring out if it's really good isn't always easy. Look for certifications like Fair Trade USA and B Corp certified.
2. Not too much.
Our shared story has become one of excess and being overwhelmed, or heedlessly consuming and exploiting; but we are beginning to find ways out of all the mess toward a simple narrative, a healthier “stuff culture” that tells a story of balance and joy.
There are a lot of solutions out there, including organizations that will help you declutter. Marie Kondo is great for an intervention or a "cleanse." Michael Pollan's food wisdom helped shape Fixation. Here are some ways to learn more:
3. Mostly reclaimed.
Donating alone is not enough; buying used is one of the most important things you can do. Like eating our vegetables, buying “mostly reclaimed” is something we must consciously prioritize. And, as with a healthy diet, we might come to realize that we actually prefer it in the long run.
First, check your neighborhood listserv (try finding it on Facebook or by asking your neighbors) for a stuff-swap. If you can't find what you're looking for there, try these sites for buying used:
4. Care for it.
Care includes repair, of course, as well as cleaning, putting things away, and general maintenance. Beyond these specific actions, care implies an overall sense of respect for the things we have.
Local New York City repair shops:
Antiques:
Ark Restoration, Manhattan
Appliances:
Bronx Appliance Repair Ltd., Bronx
Droz Contracting, Bronx
Brooklyn Appliance Repair Services, Brooklyn
Mr. Appliance, Manhattan
NY Viking Services, Manhattan
Fabric:
Keep in mind that your local dry cleaner can do simple fixes on things like zippers.
Object Custom Tailors (Phone: 718-596-2086), Brooklyn
Touka Fabric Repair LLC, Manhattan
Astoria Fabrics & Variety, Queens
Furniture:
Carlos Upholstery, Bronx
Brooklyn Workroom, Brooklyn
All Furniture Services, Manhattan
Mr. Metz Furniture Repair, Manhattan
Chairsnmore, New Jersey
Cesar Upholstery, Newark, New Jersey
L E Furniture, Queens
Shoes:
There are many shoe repair shops and cobblers in NYC; Just search google for the one closest to you. Here are a few of our favorites.
Alf's Shoe Repair, Bronx
North 11th Shoe Repair (Phone: 718-599-7463), Brooklyn
Jim's Shoe Repair, Manhattan
Watches
Watch Repair Co., Manhattan
Other:
Gizmo Notion Corp., Manhattan
NY Refrigerator Repair Specialists, Manhattan, Midtown West
Crown Services, Manhattan, Morningside Heights
5. Pass it on.
Finding a home for something useful when you are done with it is one of the final and critical elements of a circular system. Check out the same resources from Step 3: Mostly reclaimed when you're ready to pass on your stuff.
For big stuff we recommend:
Do you have favorite reuse and repair resources? Share them with us!
Use this form to share resources with us.
Scroll through all resources here.
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