Revive & Thrive: The Repair Revolution

Repair clinics and community repair initiatives are gaining momentum as powerful solutions to reduce waste, extend product life cycles, and empower people with practical repair skills. New laws and local ordinances are creating fresh opportunities for these efforts to thrive—helping communities save money, reduce landfill waste, and embrace a culture of reuse.

This session brings together leaders from Repair Cafes across California and the Furniture Repair Bank in Washington State to showcase how local repair efforts whether fixing a toaster, mending a chair, or restoring home furnishings can have deep environmental and social impact. Panelists will share lessons learned from repair events and furniture restoration programs held throughout Los Angeles County and Seattle over the past years. Together, we’ll explore strategies for scaling repair initiatives, building local capacity, and fostering resilience through repair culture—one community, and one repaired item, at a time.

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About the Speakers

Laura Anthony
Executive Director | Zero Waste San Diego

Laura Anthony is a passionate and experienced zero waste community organizer with a strong academic background. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Women's Studies and Communications, as well as a Master's degree in Library and Information Science. Certified as a zero-waste consultant through Zero Waste USA, Laura is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and environmental awareness. In 2007, Laura co-founded Zero Waste San Diego, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting zero waste principles. Notably, she integrated the approach into managing discards during the San Diego Earth Fair, with 60,000 attendees, and established innovative zero waste solutions. In 2016, Laura founded the SD Fixit Clinic, hosting over 300 events that diverted 40,000 pounds of reusable items from landfills, stimulating the local repair economy. In 2023, Laura started the LA Fixit Clinic in partnership with the County of Los Angeles and SCS Engineers to provide access to repairs to residents of Los Angeles County. In the last 2 years, Laura has helped organize over nine clinics with a "teach a man to fish" mentality. Laura's goal is to empower future Fixit Clinic leaders on how to provide access to repair in their community through the power of "neighbors helping neighbors." 

In 2025, Laura achieved several firsts, including speaking on a United Nations Panel in honor of International Zero Waste Day, discussing Fast Fashion and the importance of repair. In April, Laura was honored by Senator Catherine Blakespeare as April's Community Champion. In September, Laura will open the Reuse & Repair Collective, a 7,000 square-foot zero waste hub that will help promote repair and resiliency in the community. Laura's impressive track record and dedication to sustainability make her a respected figure in the environmental community. She inspires others to create a greener future, proving the positive impact one person can have at both the local and national levels.

Xenia Dolovova
Founder and Executive Director | Furniture Repair Bank

Xenia Dolovova, Founder and Executive Director of Furniture Repair Bank, is a visionary leader dedicated to tackling furniture waste and advancing equitable access by building community resilience. After a decade in business and marketing across Europe and the Middle East, she pivoted her career in 2019 to focus on waste reduction in Seattle’s nonprofit sector. There, her commitment to sustainability shone through as she spearheaded research that influenced Washington State legislation, organized communities to raise awareness and drive prevention solutions, and led innovation initiatives. These efforts culminated in the founding of the nation’s first Furniture Repair Bank, dedicated to keeping furniture in circulation for the benefit of all members of the community.

Kelli Farmer
Sustainable Materials Management Professional | SCS Engineers

Kelli Farmer is a Senior Project Professional at SCS Engineers, where she leads initiatives in sustainable materials management and environmental consulting. Kelli’s projects span contributing to zero waste and solid waste management planning, edible food recovery programs, business waste reduction, recycling technical assistance, and data analysis. Her experience encompasses work with various municipalities, where she has delivered strategic guidance on SB 1383 compliance initiatives and created outreach materials and databases to advance food recovery programs. In addition, Kelli acts as the Young Professional Liaison for SWANA’s Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division and serves on SCS Engineers’ Young Professional Planning Committee. Recognized as SWANA’s 2024 Young Professional of the Year, Kelli is passionate about environmental stewardship and community impact. She actively volunteers for industry events and serves on technical committees, helping shape the future of waste management.

Kawsar Vazifdar
Civil Engineer | Los Angeles County Public Works

Kawsar Vazifdar works at Los Angeles County Public Works in the Environmental Programs Division.  She manages a team that develops, analyzes, and implements environmental policies.  She also leads the new LA Fixit Clinic program that hosts free events where residents can bring in household items, such as small appliances, clothing, and bicycles, to be repaired.  Ms. Vazifdar leads The Southern California Conversion Technology Project, which promotes the development of infrastructure creating renewable energy and fuels from municipal solid waste.  In addition, she is responsible for implementing single-use plastics policies in unincorporated County and implementing sustainable waste management programs at County facilities. Last, she tracks sustainability metrics and coordinates sustainability reporting on behalf of Public Works’ Environmental Services branch.