zero waste and recycling workshop 2023, Dunedin centric but relevant for all of New Zealand.

The Zero Waste hierarchy is an action-taking framework that we can use to guide us through the process of reducing and reusing our stuff. Using this frame of reference we can co-create our way towards a more circular system! At Res.Awesome we are always on the lookout for opportunities that can assist our community in growing more resilience and building soil. That’s why Res.Awesome and Why Waste worm farms are now collaborating to create on-site solutions to your food waste problems.

Our Kaiwhakaara Fi has taken on the local Ōtepoti role of managing the Why Waste subscription worm farms, this means that once a month she gets to travel around Ōtepoti meeting people who love creating soil and servicing their worm farms. Making sure they are still thriving and getting all the goodness they need to continue serving your garden or office.

The team at Res.Awesome love supporting community reuse in action. Moving towards zero-waste means taking many pathways and investing in multiple solutions. Creating results that are higher up the zero-waste hierarchy than just recycling.

Refuse and Reuse is at the top of the zero waste hierarchy, and these are new old skills that we need to rediscover and part of our infrastructure system we must invest in. We are pleased to see that there is investment happening in this space locally from the Dunedin City Council. With these new upgrades to our curbside recycling systems being put in place over the coming years, we also need to invest in a reuse economy for all the other stuff that needs to be rehomed, and rediscover others’ treasures.

This is why we at Res.Awesome support and are now collaborating with The Restore Dunedin, our Kaiwhakaara Fi was invited to join the Restore Dunedin’s committee table as they go through some exciting upgrades.

The Restore Dunedin supports Habitat for Humanity’s Dunedin efforts to support the community with low-cost housing and housing repair.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with people of goodwill and families in housing need, to eliminate sub-standard housing.

When you shop or donate goods to the Restore you are supporting your local community to have better housing. Now that is Reuse in action.

Achieving a circular waste economy will require action on many levels and will mean we must transition to using only renewable materials and energy sources. A zero-waste way of life will mean adopting new habits… and recycling is just one part of a much more comprehensive waste minimisation process. When looking at the zero-waste hierarchy, recycling actually sits pretty low on the list!

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. In 2022, New Zealands Earth Overshoot Day lands on April 19th. We maintain this deficit by liquidating stocks of ecological resources and accumulating waste, primarily carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Earth Overshoot Day is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network, an international research organization that provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate within Earth’s ecological limits.

As of April 19th in Aotearoa we have literally used up this years resources and are now borrowing from the future to live for the next 8 months. When we speak of leaving our future generations something to live on the way we act does not follow through with that kōrero.

“The fundamental principle of circular systems thinking is that everything is interconnected”

Dr Leila Acaroglu Disruptive Design Method

The fast-paced nature of modern life often means we find ourselves participating in a ‘throwaway culture’ in which our food packaging and service-ware are designed to be disposable. Takeaway containers, plastic bottles, glass bottles, plastic bags, boxes, condiment packets, plastic cutlery, coffee cups, lids and napkins are a massive part of the hospitality supply chain. Much of this avoidable waste is generated at large community events; local food stalls and food trucks often rely on disposable service-ware to provide their goods and services. The great news is the Res.Awesome team know the perfect solution for diverting unnecessary waste from landfills. Wash Stations are one component of initiating an alternative, reuse economy.

Let us introduce you to the Kiwi Bottle Drive; an initiative designed with the aim to educate the public AND our politicians on the many benefits of a comprehensive Container Return Scheme. The Kiwi Bottle Drive is New Zealand’s campaign for bottle deposits. They have been working alongside communities, councils and organisations for over 20 years to get a bottle deposit scheme and start building a zero waste society.

Many of us don’t think twice about dipping into our local coffee shop to grab a cup of Jo on our way to work or grabbing a pre-made smoothie from the supermarket when our mornings become a little too hectic to make ourselves a proper breakfast. While many of us consider ourselves lucky to have such convenient options, the fast and casual nature of takeaway dining habits are not holding up so well on the sustainability front. The fast-paced nature of modern life often means we find ourselves participating in a ‘throwaway culture’ in which our food packaging and service-ware are designed to be disposable.

While the team at Res.Awesome has a long list of goals to achieve that will benefit our community, the main objective involves seeing Dunedin become a Zero Waste city. To achieve this goal, we must have a clear idea of what we are working towards. It’s all well and good knowing that the current system isn’t working and needs to be ditched; but what the heck do we replace it with? Res.Awesome are here to share our vision of a beautiful Zero Waste Otepoti!

It is time to shine a spotlight on one of our favourite change agents in New Zealand, Laura Cope from UYO (Use Your Own) and Takeaway Throwaways! This badass, environmental pro-activist, waste crusader has been making waves around the country with her volunteer-based Use Your Own cup initiative. UYO is a not for profit enterprise that encourages people to steer clear of single-use cups with positive messaging and a nationwide presence. UYO has a very accessible online cafe guide which has various options for finding the right cafe for you.

The team at Res.Awesome is excited to announce our upcoming event, The Waste Warrior Workshop which will be held on February 16th. This workshop is specifically designed to encourage behaviour change - which is the key component in reducing Aotearoa’s waste flow. Knowing what can be recycled and how is the first step in ensuring we are recycling responsibly. In this workshop we cover a wide variety of topics. We will learn about where our products come from and the materials used to make them. We will cover where our waste goes and explore the whole system; from the extraction of resources, to disposal.

The global population has recently turned its collective attention to the imminent threat of global warming and the dire effects it will have on our flora, fauna and iwi. It is no wonder most businesses are concerned about maintaining a clean, green image. To turn a blind eye to the damage being done to our world, would seem callous and uncaring - which would not be good for business!

The team at Res.Awesome would like to draw our followers’ attention to a retailer in New Zealand making great strides towards a circular waste system. Mitre 10 have launched a new initiative designed to keep plant pots out of our landfills. Mitre 10’s Pot Recycle is a practical closed-loop solution designed to stop plant and seedling pots ending up in landfills. This scheme has rolled out nationwide for your convenience! New Zealand has seen many kiwi’s fall back in love with gardening, partly due to lockdowns and more people working from home. We are stoked to see more kiwi’s spending time with their hands in the dirt; getting back to nature.

Forking over our hard-earned cash for new household appliances is something that can quite easily send some of us into a tailspin. Perusing the aisles of Briscoes comparing warranty offers and sniffing out good deals is all part of the routine. We do everything we can to avoid wasting our dollars on an item that may not stand the test of time.

Unfortunately, replacing faulty or worn-out appliances and technology is something we have grown rather used to. The good old days of buying products built to test the tale of time are long over, with “lifetime guarantees” reserved for $450 pairs of boots or rare scores found in the dead of night after hours of scrolling through web forums.

When it comes to Recycling, us kiwi’s would love to think we are upholding the clean, green identity Aotearoa is so famed for. Unfortunately, the results of a recent Consumer NZ led assessment revealed that New Zealand is pretty low on the environmental leader board. Brazil and New Zealand proved to be the worst countries for practical recycling rates; we don’t have the means to recycle around 57% of our packaging and Brazil is unable to process 92% of its recycling. The countries with the best recycling rates were Hong Kong, closely followed by Portugal.

We are very excited to announce that Res.Awesome has partnered up with the amazing organisation Para Kore! The Para Kore programme works to promote zero-waste, closed-loop living and hopes to see Aotearoa transition to a circular waste economy. Para Kore is about honouring Papatūānuku, our natural land. Papatūānuku is a powerful force that gives life to all things and provides us with everything we could possibly need; physically and spiritually. Mother nature gives birth to all life and eventually, all life cycles fall back to the land. This is why we must treat her with gratitude and respect.

When it comes to living a zero waste or simply, sustainable life there are many things that appear to get in the way of our mission. There are also many factors that seem to help us on our journey. The team at Res.Awesome would like to take this opportunity to explore some barriers that hinder our progress and on the flipside, some motivators that fuel our momentum.

Recycle A Device is an initiative aiming to reuse our resources, improve public knowledge and facilitate change in the technology sector from a community based perspective. Recycle A Device encourages businesses, schools, learning institutions and individuals to participate in a circular waste economy. Upcoming updates in stewardship regulations will hopefully become better understood by our communities, enabling best sustainability practices.

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"MOANA HOUSE IS A WELL-ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR ADULT MALE OFFENDERS WHO WANT TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES AND BEHAVIOUR FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THEMSELVES, THEIR WHANAU AND THEIR COMMUNITIES."

"Since 1984, we have taken the initiative to provide genuine therapeutic services for adult male offenders who wish to change their lives for the greater good."

Many of Moana House’s residents may also have a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse. They wish to provide a supportive family environment and a safe place to change.

The sun is shining here in the deep south which means silly season is upon us! Many of us are privileged enough to have some time off and a bit of pocket money to play with, allowing us to feast and frolic with loved ones. We get away with socialising more, saying ‘heck yes!’ to dessert and even popping open that cheap bottle of bubbles before midday. Afternoon naps, long bushwalks and taking any opportunity to whip out our favourite set of frightfully tiny togs to embarrass the better half with are just a handful of activities we may find ourselves indulging in over summer. One area of our lives we hope we won’t get too carried away with this silly season is the amount of waste we bring into our homes. If you are struggling to think of a gift idea for that person who just seems to have everything, try and resist the urge to run out and buy a silly, novelty gift that will probably end up shoved in a drawer somewhere…. or worse, in a landfill! For many, gifting is a ceremonial way of showing we care and a part of Christmas time we are just not ready to part with. So the team at Res.Awesome are here to share some tips on how to keep the waste flow not-so-silly this silly season!