Hospice op shop ditches plastic
A Palmerston North op shop is reducing its waste by ditching plastic bags and creating its own reusable bags.
Volunteers at the Arohanui Hospice Shop, on the corner of Walding and Lombard streets, have been busy collecting old clothing to craft products to reduce waste and fulfil fundraising needs.
The move away from plastic bags is a growing trend among retailers, because of their harmful effects on the environment.
Faith Martin, who has volunteered at the shop for five years, read in The Dominion
Post that a St Vincent de Paul op shop in Wellington was reducing its textile waste in a similar fashion.
‘‘I went down [to Wellington] for a chat, took some photos and thought ‘this is for us’.’’
Hospice Shop manager Joy Mcdonald said that the project was a way of reducing costs. It now pays the council to remove damaged or unsold clothing, belts and handbags, which end up in the landfill because nowhere in the area recycles textiles.
‘‘When you put stuff in the rubbish, it breaks your heart sometimes,’’ Martin said.
‘‘It’s all about reducing plastic, helping the environment and raising money for the hospice,’’ Mcdonald said.
So far, the volunteers have made reusable bags, cushions and pet beds, and are browsing the web for new creations, such as doorstops and draft stoppers.
The volunteers require more donated sewing supplies, such as sewing thread, scissors, and pins and needles, to keep the momentum going.