Sustainability and repair skills are now more accessible to the public, with a new initiative at Tampines Bus Interchange.
SINGAPORE – Starting October 27, 2024, a repair clinic will be open at the Tampines Bus Interchange, offering people the opportunity to learn how to fix their damaged household items. This collaboration between SBS Transit and Repair Kopitiam is the first time the longstanding repair clinic has been located at such a busy transport hub.
The initiative, which began in 2014, promotes sustainability by encouraging people to repair rather than discard their broken items. The Repair Kopitiam, a community-driven project, has over 200 to 300 active volunteers who assist the public in repairing electrical, fabric, and mechanical items.
Convenient Location for Learning Repair Skills
With its prime location near Tampines MRT Station, the clinic is positioned to serve commuters and locals. SBS Transit’s group CEO, Jeffrey Sim, emphasized that the repair clinic aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainability. The free service aims to foster a change toward sustainable living through practical repair skills.
The clinic at Tampines Bus Interchange is the 11th location for Repair Kopitiam and its second in Tampines. Clinics are held on the last Sunday of every month at various locations across Singapore, including Ang Mo Kio, Choa Chu Kang, and Jurong East.
Popular Items Brought In for Repair
Volunteers like Mr. Wong Tuan Wah (67) teach people to fix common household items such as fans, rice cookers, irons, and blenders. Mr. Wong shared that about 25 to 30 percent of repairs involve fans, with over 90 percent of them successfully fixed. The goal is to teach individuals basic repair skills so they can confidently tackle minor fixes on their own in the future.
Plans for Expansion
If the Tampines clinic proves successful, SBS Transit hopes to partner with Repair Kopitiam to establish more clinics at transport hubs across Singapore. To ensure the clinic’s operations do not interfere with commuter safety, measures have been put in place to keep sharp tools secure and the space organized.
Promoting Sustainability
The Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Amy Khor, attended the event, which also showcased other sustainable practices. These included making coasters from recycled fabric and creating coin pouches from kombucha scoby, highlighting the growing interest in sustainable living and community-driven initiatives.
For more information on Repair Kopitiam and its upcoming clinics, visit their website or stay updated with local transport hubs for new schedules.
