Got a tear, a loose seam, or other textile issues? Bring it to a Fix-It Clinic!

We’ll have experienced menders on site to help you repair and restore your clothing, fabrics, and other textile items—absolutely free. Whether it’s a favorite jacket, a pair of worn-out jeans, or anything in between, our skilled volunteers will do their best to repair it, while teaching you how to do it yourself. In addition to textiles, we can also help with small appliances, electronics, and toys, but we’ll be primarily focused on helping you restore your clothing and other textile items.

No pre-registration required.

• Items should be carry-in size for hands-on repair.
• First-come, first-served. Limit 2 items per household.
• Items accepted until 30 minutes before the event ends.

Non-accepted items

• Large items that cannot be carried by one person. 

• Items with gasoline engines.

• Items needing a full zipper replacement (this repair isn’t available during the event due to time constraints, however some smaller zipper repairs can be done).

Details
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 4-7pm
Location: North Branch Library, 6355 379th St, North Branch, MN

Volunteer

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering your repair, mending, or event skills, we’d love to have you join us! Fill out the volunteer interest form.

Chisago County is hosting its first Fix-It Clinic, partnering with Reuse Minnesota. We're excited to offer this opportunity to help repair and restore your items, with funding provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Statewide Waste Reduction and Reuse grant.

Join the SouthWest Metro Lending Library for their next swap: small household items & small tools, 7/19, 10am-12pm at the Lending Library (2460 Chaska Blvd.). Donate items in good, working condition from 6/24-7/18 during their open hours (accepted items below).

No registration is required, you do not need to bring items to take items, and everything is free. Help us create a community of sharing and keep these usable items in our community and out of landfills.

Please call or text (612) 497-4728 with questions.

Follow their Facebook event page for updates.

Accepted: household items, kitchen items, home decor, craft supplies, small tools, other

Unaccepted: oversized items that don't fit in a vehicle, knives, weapons, motorized items, items that have been recalled, hazardous waste, broken items

Please contact us if you are unsure about item eligibility.

Donation Hours: Tues. 10am-12pm, Wed. 12-2pm, Fri. 12-5pm, Sat. 9am-12pm

If puzzles are your thing, then join us for a FREE summertime swap!

Accepted items:

- Puzzles

- Board games (all ages)

- Card games

- Video game discs/cartridges

- Trading cards

Be sure that your puzzles & board games:

- Are gently used

- Include all pieces

- Are not stained

- Are in the original box

Hosted by Dakota Valley Recycling

Get items fixed or mended for free and learn useful repair skills at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic. Skilled volunteers help you troubleshoot and hopefully fix your broken items. Be prepared to help tinker with, stitch, unscrew or pry open your items. Clinics build community and reduce the amount of stuff thrown in the trash.

Clinics are first come, first served. Items are accepted until 30 minutes before the end of the event. No pre-registration required.

Things to remember

• Learn from your fixer — ask questions and be an active participant in the repair process.
• We can't guarantee an item will be fixed, but we'll give it our best shot.
• You're responsible for properly disposing of non-fixable items, but we'll help connect you to the right disposal information.
• Sewers can make minor repairs, mending, hemming pants and skirts and zipper troubleshooting. No major alterations will be possible. If necessary, our sewers will try to provide recommendations for alternative repair services.

What to​​ bring

There is a three-item limit and you must be able to carry items in – no oversized items. Feel free to bring any parts and supplies you think might help with the job. Our volunteers have plenty of tools, but please bring any tool unique to your item.

The following are examples of things that have been repaired at Fix-It Clinics:

• Radios and stereos
• Vacuums
• Blenders
• Clothing to mend - must be clean
• DVD players
• Coffee makers
• Fans
• Lamps
• Sewing machines
• Toasters and toaster ovens
• Toys
• Jewelry

Voluntee​r at a Fix-It Clinic

Bring your problem-solving skills as a fixer or mender to a Fix-It Clinic. Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working and general tinkering are essential to making the clinics successful.

Sign-up online to volunteer at a Fix-It Clinic.

https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/Residential/Reduce/Pages/fix-repair.aspx

Bring in your small household items, tools, and trinkets that need some TLC.
A lamp that won't light?  
Headphones with extra wobbly earpieces? 
A stuffy missing some stuffing? 
A chair with a torn seat or loose leg? 
Deflated Ball? 

MTL has the tools and expertise on-hand to help troubleshoot and teach you how to repair your items!

Our monthly Community Fix-Ins are always open to the public and participation is FREE.

-No registration. No Fee. -

What to Expect

We've gathered a variety of highly skilled volunteers willing to share their time and talents. (The Minnesota Tool Library already has the tools!) Repair parts (as available) and support are provided free of charge, though goodwill donations are welcome. Just bring your broken household items, toys, and textiles to the event; sign a waiver; and engage in hands-on repair instruction and troubleshooting. 

It's our hope you learn how to make repairs at the event, so you're empowered for future projects and can continue to help transform our throw-away economy into a more circular one. We also encourage you to share your repair to celebrate your victory over waste and inspire more fix'in.

Why Repair?

As a society, we throw away tons of stuff. Literally. Current estimates put the amount of trash generated by Americans each year at 254 million tons! Reuse and Repair are simple steps that everyone can take to reduce waste; but often we lack the right tools or knowledge to make repairs on our own. A collaborative, Community FIX-IN is our solution! 

Through our Green Partners grant from Hennepin County, Reuse Minnesota has partnered with Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board to offer two weeks of summer camp for students ages 8-13!

Description

Get ready for an unforgettable summer in Minneapolis Parks. Neighborhood Day Camps are bringing an exciting variety of camps, each packed with endless fun, including epic large group games, creative arts, and action-packed activities. Each theme is bursting with unique and magical experiences that will make each day feel like a new adventure. Don't miss out on the camp magic and join us for the most thrilling summer ever!

Campers will learn essential skills to protect our planet! Kids will discover the art of mending and sewing to extend the life of their clothes, dive into creative upcycling projects to turn old items into new treasures and explore waste reduction techniques to make eco-friendly choices. Through hands-on activities and engage in workshops, campers will become environmental champions, ready to make a positive impact on the world.

Registration opens March 5 at noon. 

Clothing swap

Tuesday, July 22

5 – 7 p.m.

Acceptable items: all styles, types, and sizes of shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, sweaters, coats, formal attire, shoes, sandals, boots, hats, mittens, scarfs and belts, all in good condition

Items not accepted: blankets, linens, undergarments (including swimsuits) and any non-wearable items

*A limit of 5 boxes worth of items may be brought to the clothing swap.

Learn more here.

Stuff is expensive, and when the time comes to get rid of something, that can be expensive, too. Meanwhile, our landfills are overflowing with that same stuff, much of which is still perfectly suitable for use. To help save that usable stuff--and your wallets--DVR, Bridging, and the City of Apple Valley are joining forces to bring you our 2nd Annual Furniture & Small Appliances Swap this summer.

The Furniture Swap is a two-day event. The first day (7/25) is reserved for donations of accepted items, and the second (7/26) is reserved for FREE swapping, open to everyone! You do not need to donate in order to take items. Bring what you can, and take what you'd like!

Staff from local Apple Valley business MAD Moving will be on-site both days to help residents transport heavy items to and from the parking lot.

At Fix-It Clinics, residents bring in small household appliances, clothing, electronics and more to receive free guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and fix items.  Events are first come, first serve. Last items accepted at 12:30pm.

Check out the step-by-step guide to How Fix-It Clinics Work. There is a three item limit.

Fix-It Clinics build community connections and reduce the number of repairable objects that are thrown in the trash.

Ramsey County requests that attendees who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past five days or who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms do not attend Fix-It Clinics. Ramsey County does not require attendees to have received a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people with symptoms, a positive test, exposure to someone with COVID-19, at high risk for severe illness or people in locations where COVID-19 Community Levels are high, should wear a well-fitting, high quality mask. Learn more about COVID-19.

https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/recycling-waste/reuse/fix-it-clinics

Stuff is expensive, and when the time comes to get rid of something, that can be expensive, too. Meanwhile, our landfills are overflowing with that same stuff, much of which is still perfectly suitable for use. To help save that usable stuff--and your wallets--DVR, Bridging, and the City of Apple Valley are joining forces to bring you our 2nd Annual Furniture & Small Appliances Swap this summer.

The Furniture Swap is a two-day event. The first day (7/25) is reserved for donations of accepted items, and the second (7/26) is reserved for FREE swapping, open to everyone! You do not need to donate in order to take items. Bring what you can, and take what you'd like!

Staff from local Apple Valley business MAD Moving will be on-site both days to help residents transport heavy items to and from the parking lot.

Through our Green Partners grant from Hennepin County, Reuse Minnesota has partnered with Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board to offer two weeks of summer camp for students ages 8-13!

Description

Get ready for an unforgettable summer in Minneapolis Parks. Neighborhood Day Camps are bringing an exciting variety of camps, each packed with endless fun, including epic large group games, creative arts, and action-packed activities. Each theme is bursting with unique and magical experiences that will make each day feel like a new adventure. Don't miss out on the camp magic and join us for the most thrilling summer ever!

Campers will learn essential skills to protect our planet! Kids will discover the art of mending and sewing to extend the life of their clothes, dive into creative upcycling projects to turn old items into new treasures and explore waste reduction techniques to make eco-friendly choices. Through hands-on activities and engage in workshops, campers will become environmental champions, ready to make a positive impact on the world.

Registration opens March 5 at noon. 

The Wheel Deal: Fix, swap, ride
Saturday, August 2
Pine River Chamber of Commerce

At this no-money event, bring what you have, and take what you want. You do not need to bring items to take items.

Swap is intended for individuals - no resellers please!

Activities

Swap: 8-11am

Bike fix-it: 8-10am
- Brake adjustments
- Flat tires (bring tube of correct size)
- Seat and handlebar adjustments
- Basic shifting adjustments
- Basic e-bike adjustments

Ride: 10-11am | Ride on the newly repaved Paul Bunyan Trail! This 5+ mile ride will head north on new pavement. All ages welcome.

Click here for more information

Have broken stuff lying around?  Don't trash it - fix it!

Come to one of the Anoka County Fix-it clinics to meet in person with an expert fixer to repair your favorite items. Get help repairing lamps, coffee makers, clothing, vacuums, and much more!  

Please no dehumidifiers, thank you.

Why fix it? Bring your broken items back to life!

Our Fix It Clinic can help you by...

• Saving you money.
• Preserving old items of value to you.
• Reducing waste in your community.

Please bring any replacement parts you have available with you. First come, first served. These events are for residents who need their own items fixed. These events are not intended for businesses. In an effort to assist as many people as possible, we will try to repair one item first and the volunteers will try to repair any additional items as time allows. 

Volunteer at a Fix-It Clinic in Anoka County

If you can troubleshoot repairs for broken items, consider volunteering at a Fix-It Clinic. Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, and general tinkering are essential to a successful Fix-It Clinic. Watch this video for more information about the Fix-It Clinic. 

Please email Jill.Curran@anokacountymn.gov or call 763-324-3474 for more details.

Have broken stuff? Don’t trash, it- fix it.

Bring up to three broken items to a Washington County Fix-It Clinic and volunteers will help you troubleshoot and repair them for free. Fix-It Clinics build community connections and reduce the number of repairable objects that are thrown in the trash. Receive free guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and fix items. Last item accepted at 1:30 p.m.

Accepted items

• Antique radio
• Blender
• Camping lantern
• Clothing and other textiles for mending (must be clean and dry)
• Dremel tool
• DVD player
• Fan
• Flashlight
• Hair dryer
• Lamp
• Paper shredder
• Remote control
• Sewing machine
• Steam mop
• Stereo
• Telephone
• Toaster oven
• Toaster
• Toys

Please do not bring these items:

• E-cigarettes, and any other commercial tobacco products.
• Guns, knives or anything that would be considered a weapon.
• Gas Powered Tools (lawnmowers, chainsaws, etc.).
• Oversized items. You must be able to carry your items in and out of the Fix-it Clinic.

For our August 2025 member meeting, we will meet in-person in the Twin Cities metro!

You are welcome to come to any or all the tours or just attend the meeting portion of the day. The meeting will be hybrid for anyone needing to join remotely. 

*Tours are free for all Reuse Minnesota members and $10 for nonmembers (includes both tours). If you work for a member organization, but are not listed on the org membership, please email info@reusemn.org and we will help you get registered for no cost. 

Get help with your broken stuff and learn valuable repair skills at free Fix-It Clinics.

Fix-It Clinics offer free, guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot, and (hopefully) fix small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more. Fix-It Clinics teach valuable troubleshooting and basic repair skills, build community connections and reduce the number of repairable items that are thrown in the trash.

You must be able to carry items in — no oversized items. Feel free to bring any tools and supplies you think might help with the job; however, our volunteers have plenty of tools, so it’s not mandatory. Be prepared to wield a screwdriver, open stuff up and, hopefully, fix it!

Last items accepted at 3:30 p.m. Events are first come, first served. No pre-registration required.

The following are examples of things that have been repaired at other fix-it events:

• Antique radio
• Blender
• Camping lantern
• Clothing and other soft goods to mend or alter
• Dremel tool
• DVD player
• Electric hot water kettle
• Fan
• Flashlight
• Hair dryer
• Lamp
• Paper shredder
• Remote control
• Sewing machine
• Steam mop
• Stereo
• Telephone headset
• Toaster oven
• Toaster
• Toys

Volunteers needed

Do you have skills in mechanical, electrical or computer repair, soldering, sewing or general tinkering? We need volunteers to help others learn to repair their items. Contact Nancy Lo at nancy.lo@hennepin.us or 612-348-9195.

hennepin.us/FixItClinic

Reuse Minnesota's Board of Directors invites you to join us for an evening fundraiser at La Doña Cervecería in Minneapolis. Come and relax and enjoy food, silent auction, and conversation with fellow reuse enthusiasts. 

Get tickets today!

Tickets are $55/person and are available through August 8 or until sold out. 

An online silent auction will begin August 10 and anyone can participate.

Do you have something that needs repairing or mending? Bring it to our Fix-It Clinic! Whether it's clothing, electronics, small appliances, or toys, our skilled volunteers will help you repair and mend your items for FREE! Our Fix-It Clinics focus on teaching you how to extend the life of your belongings while promoting sustainability and upcycling.

What to expect

• Learn valuable DIY repair and mending skills
• Fix your items with expert guidance
• Save money and reduce waste

Event details

• Appointments required - signup link to come!
• Limit 2 items per household
• Items should be carry-in size for hands-on repair
• Items accepted until 30 minutes before the event ends
• This event will be held at Whitney Senior Center

Non-accepted items

• Large items that cannot be carried by one person
• Items with gasoline engines
• Items needing a full zipper replacement (small zipper repairs can be done, but full replacements will not be available due to time constraints)

Stearns History Museum is partnering with Reuse Minnesota to host this event, thanks to funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Statewide Waste Reduction and Reuse grant. We're excited to offer this opportunity to help repair and restore your items!

If puzzles are your thing, then join us for a FREE summertime swap!

Accepted items:

- Puzzles

- Board games (all ages)

- Card games

- Video game discs/cartridges

- Trading cards

Be sure that your puzzles & board games:

- Are gently used

- Include all pieces

- Are not stained

- Are in the original box

Hosted by Dakota Valley Recycling

Get items fixed or mended for free and learn useful repair skills at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic. Skilled volunteers help you troubleshoot and hopefully fix your broken items. Be prepared to help tinker with, stitch, unscrew or pry open your items. Clinics build community and reduce the amount of stuff thrown in the trash.

Clinics are first come, first served. Items are accepted until 30 minutes before the end of the event. No pre-registration required.

Things to remember

• Learn from your fixer — ask questions and be an active participant in the repair process.
• We can't guarantee an item will be fixed, but we'll give it our best shot.
• You're responsible for properly disposing of non-fixable items, but we'll help connect you to the right disposal information.
• Sewers can make minor repairs, mending, hemming pants and skirts and zipper troubleshooting. No major alterations will be possible. If necessary, our sewers will try to provide recommendations for alternative repair services.

What to​​ bring

There is a three-item limit and you must be able to carry items in – no oversized items. Feel free to bring any parts and supplies you think might help with the job. Our volunteers have plenty of tools, but please bring any tool unique to your item.

The following are examples of things that have been repaired at Fix-It Clinics:

• Radios and stereos
• Vacuums
• Blenders
• Clothing to mend - must be clean
• DVD players
• Coffee makers
• Fans
• Lamps
• Sewing machines
• Toasters and toaster ovens
• Toys
• Jewelry

Voluntee​r at a Fix-It Clinic

Bring your problem-solving skills as a fixer or mender to a Fix-It Clinic. Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working and general tinkering are essential to making the clinics successful.

Sign-up online to volunteer at a Fix-It Clinic.

https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/Residential/Reduce/Pages/fix-repair.aspx

Bring in your small household items, tools, and trinkets that need some TLC.
A lamp that won't light?  
Headphones with extra wobbly earpieces? 
A stuffy missing some stuffing? 
A chair with a torn seat or loose leg? 
Deflated Ball? 

MTL has the tools and expertise on-hand to help troubleshoot and teach you how to repair your items!

Our monthly Community Fix-Ins are always open to the public and participation is FREE.

-No registration. No Fee. -

What to Expect

We've gathered a variety of highly skilled volunteers willing to share their time and talents. (The Minnesota Tool Library already has the tools!) Repair parts (as available) and support are provided free of charge, though goodwill donations are welcome. Just bring your broken household items, toys, and textiles to the event; sign a waiver; and engage in hands-on repair instruction and troubleshooting. 

It's our hope you learn how to make repairs at the event, so you're empowered for future projects and can continue to help transform our throw-away economy into a more circular one. We also encourage you to share your repair to celebrate your victory over waste and inspire more fix'in.

Why Repair?

As a society, we throw away tons of stuff. Literally. Current estimates put the amount of trash generated by Americans each year at 254 million tons! Reuse and Repair are simple steps that everyone can take to reduce waste; but often we lack the right tools or knowledge to make repairs on our own. A collaborative, Community FIX-IN is our solution! 

Get inspired to lead a more sustainable life with easy, everyday reduce-reuse-recycle how-tos and engaging, interactive exhibits on renewable energy, green technology, organic agriculture, transportation alternatives, healthy cooking, and clean air and water. Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair is the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s premier outreach and engagement opportunity, filled with hands-on activities, demonstrations and resources. Learn from experts about what you can do to help improve our air, land, water, and climate.

Reuse Minnesota and several member organizations will be hosting the reuse and repair booth in the Eco Experience Progress Center at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.

2025 schedule
9am-9pm
Labor day: 9am-8pm

Thursday, August 21
9am-3pm: Reuse Minnesota
3-9pm: Alta Technologies Inc.

Friday, August 22 
9am-3pm: City of Minneapolis Recycling
3-9pm: Sustainable Stillwater

Saturday, August 23
9am-3pm: Mano a Mano International
3-9pm: Eco Chico's Kid's Resale Boutique

Sunday, August 24
9am-3pm: MnTAP (Minnesota Technical Assistance Program)
3-9pm: Hennepin County Environment

Monday, August 25
9am-3pm: MN Tool Library
3-9pm: Arc's Value Village

Tuesday, August 26
9am-3pm: Kaleidoscope Learning
3-9pm: Rethos

Wednesday, August 27
9am-3pm: Family Pathways Thrift Stores
3-9pm: Grandma's Marathon

Thursday, August 28
9am-3pm: Ramsey County Environmental Health
3-9pm: Free Geek Twin Cities

Friday, August 29
9am-3pm: Twin Cities ReStore
3-9pm: MN Toy Library

Saturday, August 30
9am-3pm: Shop for Change
3-9pm: Reuse Minnesota

Sunday, August 31
9am-3pm: Good To Go Cups
3-9pm: Loose Parts Laboratory

Monday, September 1
9am-3pm: City of Saint Paul
3-8pm: Evergreen Collective

While you're in the Eco Experience building, be sure to stop and visit with our members, Repowered and Macalester College during the length of the fair. They will be helping with the Battery Bar.

At Fix-It Clinics, residents bring in small household appliances, clothing, electronics and more to receive free guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and fix items.  Events are first come, first serve. Last items accepted at 12:30pm.

Check out the step-by-step guide to How Fix-It Clinics Work. There is a three item limit.

Fix-It Clinics build community connections and reduce the number of repairable objects that are thrown in the trash.

Ramsey County requests that attendees who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past five days or who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms do not attend Fix-It Clinics. Ramsey County does not require attendees to have received a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people with symptoms, a positive test, exposure to someone with COVID-19, at high risk for severe illness or people in locations where COVID-19 Community Levels are high, should wear a well-fitting, high quality mask. Learn more about COVID-19.

https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/recycling-waste/reuse/fix-it-clinics

Swap events are great opportunities to clear out items you no longer use and take home new treasures. These events are free and open to everyone! No items may be sold; everything must be given and taken freely. A limit of five boxes can be brought to the swaps. Hosted by the City of St. Louis Park.

If puzzles are your thing, then join us for a FREE summertime swap!

Accepted items:

- Puzzles

- Board games (all ages)

- Card games

- Video game discs/cartridges

- Trading cards

Be sure that your puzzles & board games:

- Are gently used

- Include all pieces

- Are not stained

- Are in the original box

Hosted by Dakota Valley Recycling

Need something repaired? Bring it to a Fix-It Clinic! 

We’ll have experienced menders and fixers on site to help you repair and restore items—absolutely free.

Whether it’s a favorite jacket, a pair of worn-out jeans, or anything in between, our skilled volunteers will do their best to repair it, while teaching you how to do it yourself. In addition to textiles, we can also help with small appliances, electronics, and toys.

No pre-registration required.

• Items should be carry-in size for hands-on repair.
• First-come, first-served. Limit 2 items per household.
• Items accepted until 30 minutes before the event ends.

Non-accepted items

• Large items that cannot be carried by one person. 

• Items with gasoline engines.

• Smartphones and tablets.

• Items needing a full zipper replacement (this repair isn’t available during the event due to time constraints, however some smaller zipper repairs can be done).

Volunteer
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering your repair, mending, or event skills, we’d love to have you join us! Fill out the volunteer interest form.

This is your chance to connect with 5 people in 7-minute virtual rounds, making meaningful connections in a short amount of time. You’ll have the opportunity to network with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including small and large reuse organizations, businesses, county staff, educators, and passionate reuse enthusiasts!

Whether you’re a Reuse Minnesota member or a guest, this is a fun and fast-paced event designed to help you expand your professional network, share ideas, and discover new opportunities in the world of reuse. Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to meet like-minded individuals and build lasting connections! Register today and be part of this unique networking experience!

In this hands-on class at Park Grove Library, you'll learn the essential functions and settings of a sewing machine, from threading to operating the foot pedal. We will cover the basics of stitch types, seam allowances, and machine maintenance to ensure smooth operation. You'll also complete a simple project that gives you practice in handling fabric, cutting patterns, and stitching seams.

By the end, you'll feel comfortable using a sewing machine for a variety of creative projects. Machines will be available during class, and all materials will be provided. This class will be held at the Park Grove Library, hosted by the Public Health and Environment Department of Washington County.

Class is limited to 5 participants. Registration is required. 

Registrations open at 10:00am Saturday, August 16, 2025