Table 1 Given pseudonym and description of case study Repair Cafes

Green Repair Cafe

Started in June 2014. Around 20 active volunteers of which many have been engaged with the Repair Cafe from the beginning. The Repair Cafe opens its doors once a month for 3 h. Visitors have to register in advance and the number varies between 18 and 25 visitors each meeting. The Repair Cafe was founded and is still managed by a staff member of a local environmental NGO.

Organized Repair Cafe

Started in October 2016. The same 14 volunteers attend every month. The Repair Cafe opens its doors once a month for 3 h. Visitors have to register in advance and, after consultation with the organizer, indicate the specific device’s problem. In consequence, the exact repair time can be assessed, thus this Repair Cafe can invite 25-30 visitors each meeting.

Bike Repair Cafe

The idea for the Repair Cafe was born in January 2015, but the initiative had to change places and meeting times until it could find a more permanent meeting place in an inner district in Berlin in September 2015. The Repair Cafe pays rent to a social ‘sharehouse’. The Repair Cafe has 7 founders and about 30 technical volunteers who come regularly.