Mayor urges Derry and Strabane residents to back 'Reuse and Repair Week'
Councillor Ruairí McHugh launches an action-packed week of free workshops, street murals, and community cafés aimed at slashing local waste.
Northern Ireland is preparing to mark a significant environmental milestone with the launch of its first-ever Reuse and Repair Week, running from Saturday, May 30 to Saturday, June 6 2026.
The week-long initiative is designed to celebrate local creativity, ingenuity, and community spirit while offering practical ways for residents to reduce waste, save money, and build sustainable habits. Delivered as part of a Shared Island commitment to the circular economy, the campaign sees the Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) join forces with its southern sister organisation, Community Resource Network Ireland (CRNI), to run a synchronized programme of events across the entire island.
The initiative will officially launch on Saturday, May 30 at Belfast Grand Central Station with a flagship Pop-Up Repair Café. The high-profile event will bring together skilled volunteer fixers to help members of the public repair much-loved but broken items, ranging from clothing to bicycles, demonstrating that items do not need to be binned when they can be repaired.
Welcoming the initiative, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “We all have a role in building a circular economy to protect our environment and I'm pleased my department is supporting Northern Ireland’s first Reuse and Repair Week through Carrier Bag Levy funding.
“This campaign also brings people together in a positive environment, sharing their knowledge, skills and passions. It is encouraging to see these efforts to help people learn practical ways to keep items out of landfill by repairing or repurposing them.
“I would encourage anyone to take part in the week’s activities organised by Northern Ireland Resources Network to learn more.”
Eimear Montague, NIRN Executive Director, added: “Building towards the week, colleagues from DAERA and local authorities across Northern Ireland teamed up to craft bunting from reclaimed textiles. This simple act captures the heart of the week.
“Transforming what is thought of as waste and proving that with a little creativity, every item has a second life. This is about keeping items in use for longer, it’s about changing behaviours and encouraging reuse and repair as the norm. Empowering our communities with the skills to make a sustainable future a reality."
Following the launch, a diverse line-up of community events will take place across all local authority areas, including Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
Highlights of the local programme include a popular Repair Café, with volunteers on hand to fix household items, a Bike Repair Session to keep wheels turning smoothly, and a Zero Waste Parenting workshop offering practical advice for families.
Creative and hands-on learning will take centre stage with a series of mending workshops, helping participants pick up new skills such as sewing and garment repair. The local graffiti artist team at Peaball will also be putting their amazing creativity to good use by designing a special mural celebrating the themes of reuse and community resilience.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, encouraged everyone to check out the programme and see how they can benefit.
“Reuse and Repair Week is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, learn new skills and make small changes that can have a big impact on our environment. I would encourage everyone to have a look at the excellent programme of events taking place across the district and get involved where they can.
“Whether it’s repairing an item, learning something new or simply supporting local initiatives, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Organisers hope the week will not only reduce waste but also foster a greater sense of community connection and creativity, empowering people to extend the life of everyday items and rethink their consumption habits.
For full details of events and how to get involved, visit https://www.ni-rn.com/repair-week-events/