Boomerang Bags banishing plastic

Te Puke’s Boomerang Bag initiative is off the ground.

Last week, the group’s first sewing bee at Te Puke High School was attended by 15 volunteers who made 115 pockets, completed three bags and cut fabric for many more.

The initiative aims to reduce the use of plastic bags by having bags made from recycled fabric available around town as an alternative.

“A huge thank you to those that turned up for the first Boomerang Bags for Te Puke sewing bee,” says Karen McLaren, who is one of those behind the project in Te Puke, and who described it as a great start.

“Some of our volunteers have taken home fabric to continue through the month.

“We’d love to see others start to form their own sewing bees over time, and we’re happy to share the patterns and fabric to get you started.”

Karen says she would also like to encourage more donations of fabric which can be dropped off at any of the charity shops, in bags labelled Boomerang Bag Te Puke fabric.

“We thank everyone who has come forward so far and donated fabrics to the cause.”

Epic Te Puke’s marketing manager Rebecca Larsen says the group is looking for four sponsors to support the set-up costs and first 1000-bag goal.

“We are happy to announce that our first sponsor to support our Boomerang Bags for the Puke is Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool Ltd. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Te Puke Mitre 10 for supplying us with storage bins and materials.”

The hope is to set up distribution points throughout the town for people to use the bags when shopping.

The next sewing bee is scheduled for June 28 at the high school sewing room.