419 Why repairing is better than buying new with Martine Postma from Repair Cafe
Aug 7, 2026 · 41m
Summary
Ingrid interviews Martina Postma, founder of the Repair Café International Foundation, about her mission to combat waste by reviving repair skills. They discuss the movement’s origins in Amsterdam and its global expansion to nearly 4,000 volunteer-run cafes. The episode highlights how these community hubs foster social connection while fixing household items, encouraging a sustainable mindset shift away from disposable culture.
Topics discussed
Intro: The value of repairing and sponsor ads
Welcome Martina Postma, founder of Repair Café
Martina's motivation: Waste reduction and community
The first Repair Café event in Amsterdam
The social aspect and mindset shift of repairing
What items can be brought to a Repair Café?
Why we lost the skill and desire to repair
Maintenance tips and sponsor break
How the Repair Café movement went global
Finding volunteers and the role of tinkerers
Difficult repairs and cafe schedules
How to find and prepare for a Repair Café visit
Impact stats, closing thoughts, and final ads
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