My dad would think it was hilarious if someone told him he was living a green lifestyle. He’s the guy who’d come to the dinner table in a mechanic smock covered in grease and steer the conversation towards sports and muscle cars. Still, he’s been rebuilding motorcycles, rewiring the kitchen, dredging yards, and slapping up drywall for over 45 years. While I’d never tell him, I know my dad is an accidental environmentalist because, just like our community of folks who fix, repair and mod their belongings, he’s keeping broken products out of landfills.

Think about it, in the late eighties we were asked to “reduce, reuse and recycle.” FixYans are doing all three. Here are some ways we’re doing our part for the environment:

• Reducing paper consumption and saving trees by using our online warranty manager to access receipts, user manuals and renew warranties.
• Adding memory and accessories to old computers instead of purchasing new ones.
• Testing speakers thoroughly before buying peripheral products or add-ons.

To help strengthen our community and empower more people to repair their old products, become a FixYa expert, or if you’re already an expert and you’d like to be featured in our blog, contact dana[at]fixya.com for details.