A pair of broken headphones, a wobbly bicycle, a favorite jacket with a torn seam, or even a family heirloom that has seen better days may all have something in common: they don’t necessarily belong in the trash.
On Saturday, June 20, the city of Chula Vista will host a Fixit Clinic at the Montevalle Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., inviting residents to bring in broken or non-working items for hands-on repair guidance and troubleshooting.
The event is part of the city’s broader Zero Waste efforts and growing commitment to sustainability and waste reduction.
“The great success of other entities around California, mainly in the northern part of the state, inspired us,” said Manuel Medrano, environmental services manager for the city of Chula Vista. “This inspiration led us to integrate the clinics as an action in our 2022 Zero Waste Plan as part of our commitment to continue with this great educational programming in the long term.”
Rather than a traditional repair shop, the Fixit Clinic operates as a collaborative workshop. Participants bring in a single item and work side by side with volunteer “fixers” who guide them through the repair process.
Common items include small household electronics, bicycles, skateboards, clothing, and sentimental household goods such as family heirlooms.
“Small household electronics, bicycles, skateboards, clothing, priceless family heirlooms, etc.,” Medrano said when describing what residents most often bring in.
The focus is not only on fixing items but also on learning how they work.
“Volunteer fixers help participants learn how to fix an item as they instruct and not just repair,” Medrano said. “Fixers are often seasoned veterans in their fields, such as electrical engineers, instructors, and experienced tradespeople.”
In many cases, items are successfully repaired during the session, but city officials say the educational component is just as important as the outcome.
“Most items are successfully repaired,” Medrano said. “The focus is shared with giving items a new life and creating teachable moments.”
The environmental impact is a key driver behind the program. Repairing instead of replacing reduces landfill waste and cuts down on the need to extract raw materials and manufacture new products.
“Repairing an item prevents disposal in our landfills,” Medrano said. “It also minimizes the need to mine for new raw materials, manufacture and transport new products, which reduces greenhouse gas production.”
Beyond environmental benefits, the Fixit Clinic also encourages residents to rethink their relationship with consumer goods and disposable culture.
“The events encourage participants to think about how their consumer behaviors affect our environment,” Medrano said. “They also inspire participants to think about future purchases to include repairable products in place of low-quality alternatives that might quickly reach obsolescence without viable options to repair.”
Events are free, family-friendly, and open to participants of all ages.
The June 20 Fixit Clinic will take place at Montevalle Recreation Center, 840 Duncan Ranch Road in Chula Vista.
