Tampa Sets Date for First Free Community Repair Clinic
City staff will help residents fix broken items like vacuums and bicycles on Oct. 30, aiming to divert waste and save money.
By Tunde Bailey ·
The City of Tampa is introducing a free program designed to keep broken household goods out of landfills. The initiative, known as Tampa Tinker, will hold its inaugural workshop on Thursday, Oct. 30. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Center on Hanna Avenue.
Participating residents must bring one item for repair and register in advance. The city requires participants to be Tampa residents and to show photo identification at check-in. Staff will review each item on a case-by-case basis. If an item is deemed unsafe or unsuitable, the registration will be declined. There is no guarantee that any specific item will be fixed.
The city is drawing on internal expertise to staff the workshop. Professionals from the Solid Waste and Logistics and Asset Management departments will assist attendees. These staff members typically maintain city buildings and handle electrical, plumbing, and general repairs. Their background in facility management provides the hands-on skills needed for common household fixes.
Tessa Coulter, the city’s Recycling Coordinator, stated that repair is a high-impact method for waste reduction. She noted that the program allows residents to save money and learn new skills. Coulter said the city is excited to help residents bring their belongings back to life.
The city has published a list of accepted items on its website. Eligible objects include lamps, fans, furniture that fits inside the venue, kitchen gadgets, hand tools, clocks, vacuums, toasters, small appliances, toys, and bicycles needing tire, gear, or brake adjustments. Prohibited items include CRT televisions, complex electronics like smartphones and computers, weapons, gas appliances, medical devices, safety equipment, personal hygiene devices, pressurized systems, and recalled goods.
Tampa joins a global movement that began in Amsterdam in 2009. Martine Postma created the original repair workshop model. By 2024, similar events worldwide had repaired nearly 25,000 items. The local program aims to reduce the volume of waste sent to the city’s Waste-to-Energy facility. Residents can register for a timeslot at tampa.gov/repair.
