Imagine the worst possible start to my working day. Today the worst happened. I arrived at work and the Coffee maker refused to make coffee. As panic set in I determined that the lights all went on when they should, the clock/timer was still working, only when it said 'brewing' nothing happened. No coffee was forthcoming.... how should I start my day? My routine was upset and I didn't know what to do next. The only thing I could think of was to put the coffee machine under my arm and seek out an electrical repairer ASAP. So I did....
The closest place, just down the road took one look at it and suggested I take it elsewhere or buy a new one. They were too busy. Fine. The next fix-it shop I tried was closed. Out of business. I think I know why....
The third place told me right away, "oh, we don't do those."
The reason being they fix electronic appliances, like microwave ovens, not electrical appliances like my coffee maker. Well, didn't I feel dumb. It did occur to me to point out that because it has a clock and timer built in that it was technically electronic but it didn't seem like a point worth making just then. Off to the forth fix-it shop. The one they assured me could and would fix my coffee maker so I could start my day.
Even the guy who could and would fix it suggested it might be easier (and even slightly cheaper) to just buy a new one.
"Actually, I'd like you to fix it thanks." I said wondering how long before this fix-it shop goes under too. I think he'd heard "I could have bought a NEW one for that!" one to many times, and was not prepared for a hippy like me. I should be able to get the thing back, probably with a replacement element, in about a week. Obviously they don't get to fix these things very often anymore.
This all got me thinking about how this in this culture we want everything to be disposable. Just get a new one, it'll be cheaper. But will it? If I had just got a new coffee maker it would probably have come all the way from China, wrapped in 6 layers of plastic and foam. All that packaging, and the old coffeemaker with its perfectly good glass pot, plastic, filters, electrical cord, and electronic components would have to be taken away to a landfill, where they will not decompose for a very very very long time.... but hey, it would be cheaper, for me.
No, I insisted on getting it repaired even if it costs me a little more. Recycling is more than just keeping your used plastic milk bottles for collection. Its about getting the maximum use out of all the materials we take from the earth and not just 'getting a new one' because we can.
The story has a happy ending. After all that I was still faced with the prospect of no coffee maker for a week. After work I stopped in at the re-cycling shop by the dump refuse station. They had four coffeemakers there, one of which was in unused condition, still in its box. Unwanted wedding present I guess. $5. Thank you very much. Now I have a spare, so this will never happen again.
5:44:23 PM 
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