Somerset’s Fixy project, which supports repair and reuse across the county, managed by Resource Futures, will continue thanks to the backing of Somerset Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK.
Fixy, which began in May 2022, promotes reuse and community repair groups as well as being a roving collection point for smart tech donations.
Reusing and extending the life of the things we already own, by repairing them, is a simple step to help tackle climate change while also save money.
In January and February the team will be visiting Crewkerne, Wincanton, Frome and Street.
Key achievements since May 2022 include:
- 5,000 conversations about reuse and repair, fostering a culture of sustainability
- 10,000kg of electrical items collected for repair, reuse, or recycling, reducing waste and conserving resources
- More than 5,500 tech items donated to Fixy, benefiting individuals in need
Supported by local charity DonateIT, which redistributes fixed and refurbished tech items, it has made a difference for refugees, socially isolated individuals, and homeless people. This initiative has not only provided essential technology but also helped bridge the digital divide, offering new opportunities for education, communication, and employment.
During 2024 Fixy focused on tech takeback, partnering with town and parish councils for ‘tech amnesties’ and piloting small electrical collections in flats without kerbside collections.
The pilot to collect small electricals from flats has so far seen 284kg of electricals collected for recycling and 58kg of smart tech collected for reuse.
Fixy is being funded until April 2025 from the Somerset Waste: Enhanced Environmental Performance (SW:EEP) fund which uses ring-fenced income from the sale of recyclable materials. The money is designated for the benefit of the community.
Cllr Richard Wilkins Executive Member for Transport and Waste Services has said:
We are proud of the impact Fixy has had on Somerset. The support the project received has been overwhelming and we’re delighted to be continuing our mission of promoting sustainability and supporting those in need. Together, we can make a real difference.
Matt Canning, Contract Director for SUEZ said:
We are always delighted to support initiatives that reuse unwanted items and reduce waste. The Fixy project is a great example of this, as well as having a positive impact on our community.
Project co-ordinator Linda Hull added:
What’s so great about Fixy is that it’s a solution to a real and pressing problem for people.
Nearly everyone has a drawer of doom, stuffed with old devices that are full of precious metals. People are keen to declutter and donate their old devices, happy in the knowledge that they will be securely wiped then refurbished and given to someone in need, free of charge, if possible, or will be responsibly recycled.
The Fixy van will be out and about in the new year and accepting donations of smart tech for reuse on the following dates:
- 15 January, 10am to 1pm Wednesday Market, Market Square, Crewkerne, TA18 7LN
- 18 January, 10am to 1pm The Balsam Centre, Wincanton, BA9 9HB
- 2 February, 10am to 1pm Frome Town Hall, Christchurch St. West, BA11 1EB
- 22 February, 10am to midday Street Repair Café, Quaker Meeting House, Street, BA16 0EB
For a full list of what’s accepted, visit the Council’s Fixy page.
Find out more about the 25 repair groups operating in Somerset, visit the Counci’s Repair Groups.
