It’s apt that Hirsch’s Homestores, that started out as a repair shop in 1979, with Allan Hirsch, an appliance technician, carrying out repairs predominantly on air conditioning units and fridges, should be celebrating International repair day! Over the years, they have recognised the value and importance of carrying out repairs by incorporating a repairs and spares division into all their branches.
Allan says that he is proud of his early days as appliance repair man as he could see how life changing it was. “To go into someone’s home when, for instance, their fridge wasn’t working and they had to feed their family and were at a loss as to what to do, and to be able to repair the problem so that they didn’t have to buy a new fridge, was special. It’s wonderful that we have a day to recognise the importance of repairs and maintenance – as opposed to discarding appliances prematurely.
Hirsch says that promoting a culture of repairs helps to encourage consumers to consider the longevity and durability of their purchases and it helps shift the mindset from “disposable” to one that values quality and repairability.
International Repair Day serves as a call to action for everyone involved in the appliance and electronics industry. It reminds us that through repairs we can reduce e.waste, conserve resources and promote sustainable consumption. By extending the lifespan of our devices and holding manufacturers accountable for their products repairability, we can contribute to a greener, more sustainable world, one appliance and gadget at a time.