On this episode of The Circle Up Podcast, hosts Sam Wittchen and Candice Lawton explore how repair is becoming a key strategy for a modern circular economy. They examine why repair has become harder than it should be, how the right to repair movement is growing, and what it will take to rebuild a strong repair economy that reduces waste, keeps materials in use, and supports local jobs.

For decades, everyday fixes were part of normal life. People repaired clothing, tuned up small appliances, and kept household items going for years. Over time, products were designed to be harder to repair and easier to replace, a phenomenon known as planned obsolescence. This shift eroded repair culture, generating more waste and fewer opportunities to keep valuable materials circulating in local communities. But cities across the country, including Philadelphia, are working to change that and rebuild the sense of community that comes from people learning, sharing skills, and solving problems together.

The episode begins with Holly Logan, co-founder of the Philly Fixers Guild, an organization that hosts Repair Fairs to create a welcoming community space where neighbors connect, collaborate, and support one another through hands-on problem solving. A fixer sits with a guest and teaches them how to diagnose the issue, use the tools, and understand the repair process. The goal is not for the Fixers Guild to repair the item but to help attendees cultivate the skills and confidence that make repair a normal part of everyday life rather than something only a shop can do.

Repair is not a hobby. It is essential infrastructure for a low-waste, circular future. When communities, skilled workers, and better systems come together, repair becomes one of the most effective ways to counter planned obsolescence, reduce waste, keep materials in use, and strengthen local economies.

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Philly Fixers Guild is a volunteer-led community repair group co-founded by Holly Logan and Ben Davis. Through monthly Repair Fairs, fixers and guests work together to troubleshoot and repair household items – with a focus on skill-sharing, accessibility, and keeping useful items out of the landfill. Learn more at phillyfixersguild.org.

Emily Watts is the founder of Coblr, a digital platform powering the repair economy. Coblr provides software for repair shops and helps brands build modern repair programs – making repair more transparent, trackable, and easy to access, while supporting local repair providers. For more information visit Coblrshop.com.

To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org.