Celebrating Repair Week 2026: Giving Everyday Items a New London Life
Groundwork London supports repair week, communities and climate through repair, reuse and recycle initiatives in London
Repair Week is a chance to shine a spotlight on the growing repair and reuse movement – and the people and projects helping London reduce waste, save money and build practical skills.
At Groundwork London, we’re proud to support a circular economy through initiatives that give everyday items a second life while creating opportunities for local communities.
One example is REWORK, one of the busiest and best-equipped domestic appliance repair workshops in the country. Since launching in 2012, REWORK has saved more than 58,000 household appliances from landfill – from washing machines and fridges to electric cookers – diverting materials from landfill and reducing CO2 emissions, helping households access reliable, affordable white goods. By keeping valuable materials in use for longer, the project helps reduce carbon emissions and supports a more sustainable way of living.
Repair Week also highlights the importance of skills. Our Westminster Wheels programme trains people in bicycle mechanics while repairing hundreds of bikes every year. Trainees gain hands-on mechanical experience, develop confidence and access pathways into employment – all while helping more Londoners choose sustainable transport.
Across London’s estates, our community reuse hubs also play an important role. At The Loop in Grahame Park, residents can donate unwanted furniture which is then repaired in the workshop, restored and sold at affordable prices in the adjoining showroom. The project helps prevent fly-tipping and keeps usable items out of landfill while offering training, volunteering and employment opportunities for local people.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate how repair can benefit people and the planet. By fixing, restoring and reusing the items we already own, we can reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and create greener, more resilient communities across the capital.
This Repair Week we want to encourage Londoners to consider alternatives to buying new, and explore repairing or reusing before replacing. Whether it’s fixing a bike, restoring a piece of furniture, or giving a household appliance a second life, small actions can make a big difference.
Help us reach more communities in London, this repair week and throughout the year. You can donate here, or find out more about our Employment, Skills and Training projects, helping people get closer to work with planet in mind.