
Learning how to help environment
Holding a sustainable shell in her hands at the Just One Thing (JOT) sustainability table is Waimarino Ainsley, 5, at the Plastic Free July Expo and Repair Cafe on Saturday.
The free Waste Free Waitaki event at the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre was supported by the Waitaki Resource Recovery Trust and the Waitaki District Council.
Trust manager and organiser Trish Hurley said the event was in its second year and the main goal was to reduce negative impacts on the environment.
"We run the event to educate people and show them practical and fun ways on how to make the environment a lot better for the generations going forward," she said.
Waimarino's aunt, Davina Eru, of Oamaru, said they liked learning new things at the expo.
"I'm interested in the crop swaps and workshops for sustainable fashion. I want to join up and learn more," she said.
Mrs Hurley said although the attendance was down on last year, this year there were more offerings, and more people signed up for future sustainability workshops.
About 60 people attended the event, including Dunedin group Recycle a Device (RAD) and a cheesemaking workshop run by Lynda Ramsay.
RAD held a full-day workshop that gave children and young adults an opportunity to recycle a device by learning how to diagnose any issues and fix them via a laptop.
The expo stalls were dedicated to sustainable activities such as jewellery and cycle repair, carpentry, welding and sewing. The Repair Cafe was a chance for people to bring in their broken items, which ranged from toys to lawnmowers, and get help to fix them.
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Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Learning how to help environment
REPORT & PHOTO: JULES CHIN Holding a sustainable shell in her hands at the Just One Thing (JOT) sustainability table is Waimarino Ainsley, 5, at the Plastic Free July Expo and Repair Cafe on Saturday. The free Waste Free Waitaki event at the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre was supported by the Waitaki Resource Recovery Trust and the Waitaki District Council. Trust manager and organiser Trish Hurley said the event was in its second year and the main goal was to reduce negative impacts on the environment. "We run the event to educate people and show them practical and fun ways on how to make the environment a lot better for the generations going forward," she said. Waimarino's aunt, Davina Eru, of Oamaru, said they liked learning new things at the expo. "I'm interested in the crop swaps and workshops for sustainable fashion. I want to join up and learn more," she said. Mrs Hurley said although the attendance was down on last year, this year there were more offerings, and more people signed up for future sustainability workshops. About 60 people attended the event, including Dunedin group Recycle a Device (RAD) and a cheesemaking workshop run by Lynda Ramsay. RAD held a full-day workshop that gave children and young adults an opportunity to recycle a device by learning how to diagnose any issues and fix them via a laptop. The expo stalls were dedicated to sustainable activities such as jewellery and cycle repair, carpentry, welding and sewing. The Repair Cafe was a chance for people to bring in their broken items, which ranged from toys to lawnmowers, and get help to fix them.