Super Eco

Photo credit: abcdz2000, SXC

When was the last time you repaired something? If the nearest shoe repair shop is completely off your radar, maybe it's time to reconsider what maintaining and repairing your belongings can do for your environmental impact (and your budget, too!). With all the attention garnered by recycling efforts, the humble idea of reusing and repairing gets lost in the shuffle.

We're delighted with the can-do, optimistic outlook of Project21's Repair Manifesto. (Click on over and read more—it's inspirational stuff!)

1. Make your products live longer.
2. Things should be designed so that they can be repaired.
3. Repair is not replacement.
4. What doesn't kill it makes it stronger.
5. Repairing is a creative challenge.
6. Repair survives fashion.
7. To repair is to discover.
8. Repair—even in good times!
9. Repaired things are unique.
10. Repairing is about independence.
11. You can repair anything, even a plastic bag.

We feel both chastised and inspired after reading that list. You, too? Get down to business with a foundation of fix-it resources:

• Fix It Yourself from Bob Vila
• eHow.com
• DoItYourself.com
• Instructables.com