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You know those people who have kitchen cabinets filled with old pasta jars that they reuse as drinking glasses? Marie Jobes ’18 is one of those people. She is an Organizational Communication major, member of the Ecology Club, a passionate environmental activist and the founder of Fixit UP, an event that is combating the “toss-it” mentality.
Recently we had the opportunity to speak with Jobes about the upcoming event, how we can reduce waste in our daily lives and her hopes for the future.
I started it as part of my internship with Repair PDX, a non-profit organization that holds repair events monthly in the Portland area. I used Repair PDX as my base for planning, organizing and hosting my own repair event where we tune-up bikes, mend clothing, repair small appliances and sharpen knives.
Since its conception, Fixit UP has had 3 main goals:
Let’s look at the three R’s -- reduce, reuse, recycle.
First, you can reduce you overall consumption of consumer goods.
Second, you can reuse the things that you already have. If something is broken you can fix it (or come to Fixit UP and we'll fix them for you).
Lastly, if you are going to get rid of your stuff think of innovative ways to recycle it.
You can take it to a sell and trade store, research trustworthy electronic recyclers or get creative and use your items for different purposes. I love using pasta jars as drinking glasses.
Remember, the Commons eco-trainers are another great way to reduce paper waste on campus!
I am an Organizational Communication student, but my passion is environmental activism. I am a change-maker and I have always wanted to find a way to get involved on campus and make a positive difference for UP and the community.
Professor Steve Kolmes and other professors studying the environment inspire me, as well as repair event organizers like Lauren Gross.
I knew that implementing a free, sustainable event like Fixit UP on campus would be a major way to communicate the importance of reducing waste and to spread the “repair” mentality.
It is cool to see more people from UP and the surrounding community getting involved in the event. I have had people who have heard about the event come up to me and want to get involved. Seeing Fixit UP gain popularity on campus and amongst my peers gives me hope that the event will continue after I graduate.
I am excited to see both old and new attendees at the upcoming event. Showing a newcomer the process of a repair event from registration to completion makes me happy and proud.
Because I am the founder and organizer of Fixit UP, I don't usually get the opportunity to fix anything. Thankful Fixit UP has nearly 30 awesome volunteers with all sorts of fixing abilities. However, I have started to learn to sew with the intent to host a sewing workshop in the near future, so I am looking forward that.
Wastefulness is a pressing issue worldwide. Educating people on the impact of our waste is really important, but providing them with real ways to combat the “toss it” mentality is the key. I think the education and resources we are providing should be available and accessible to anyone and everyone who want to join the repair movement.
The Ecology Club is hosting the second Fixit UP this Thursday, February 22nd from 5:00-7:00 pm on the Quiet Side of the Commons. The event is FREE and open to everyone. During the event, experienced volunteers will come together to tune-up bikes, mend clothing, repair small appliances and sharpen knives. Take this opportunity to save your money, get your stuff fixed and join in the effort to reduce waste in our community.
For questions or ADA accommodations contact jobes18@up.edu
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5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
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