Kia ora tātou,

Thank you for taking the time to read our pānui! ☀️ Under the spotlight this month:

⛔ Our BIG issue with “compostable” packaging…
🌱 Community Tree Planting this Sunday (& Wed.) in Marfell!
🥕 Let’s Compost FREE Workshop on Sat. 2 Aug. (Limited tickets…)
🗺️ Plastic-Free options in Taranaki: share your local businesses with us!
🌻 The Sustainable Trails need YOUR support!
🧑‍🌾 2025 Royal A&P Show: volunteers needed in Stratford
☀️ Awesome mahi at the Ōpunake Nature Cleanup!
🌏 Business Support: we can help you do better for your community!
♻️ ONE week left to enter the Taranaki Schools' Upcycling Competition
👀 DYK we have a Taranaki Seed Bank at the EnviroHub?
💸 Fundraise with us at fun local events!
📆 Our Events Calendar to make sure you won’t miss any sustainable events in Taranaki!

Our most-read articles this month:
1. Events Calendar
2. Local Taranaki Markets
3. Food for Free
4. Our Team
5. Our Current Programmes

Happy reading! 🌿

Ngā mihi,

The Sustainable Taranaki tīma ☀️

⛔ Our BIG issue with “compostable” packaging…

Microplastics leaching, use of resources, compost of poor quality… here are 7 reasons why these "ECO-green-200%-compostable" cups are NOT the solution but a BIG issue… 🧐☕
Read our article to find out why and what could be the solution! 👀

🌱 Community Tree Planting this Sunday
(+ this Wednesday) in Marfell!

Community Planting Day with Te Ara Taiao at the Marfell Māra (Community Garden) this Sunday 27 July, 10am! 🌱 ALL WELCOME! ☀️⤵

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠:
- Closed in shoes
- Clothes for getting dirty
- Sunhat, Rain jacket & Gardening gloves
- Shovels (we will have some spares)

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞:
- Sunblock
- First Aid kit
- FREE SAUSAGE SIZZLE 🌭

More info here! ☀️

🥕 Let’s Compost FREE Workshop
on Saturday 2 August

Learn how easy & simple it is to compost WELL at home and at work!
FREE tickets + a $40 voucher for a composting system of your choice. 

📆 Saturday 2 August, 1pm - 3pm
📍 EnviroHub (next to the Brooklands Zoo)
🎟️ FREE tickets here (limited numbers)

🗺️ Plastic-Free options in Taranaki: share your local businesses with us!

For #PlasticFreeJuly (and for the rest of the year!), we want to help you shop in Taranaki and avoid plastic packaging as much as possible.

Explore our map below, and please get in touch if you are aware of more local options! We are looking for:

☕ Local cafés and takeaways offering discounts if you BYO cups & containers
🛒 Shops offering Plastic-Free options around Taranaki

Do you know any? Reply to this email or send us a DM on our Socials! 💚

🌻 The 2025 Sustainable Trails is seeking
the support of local volunteers!

1. Do you have a property in a high-traffic area? We are looking for spots to place our Trails signs around New Plymouth and Taranaki. 

2. We are seeking volunteers who might be interested in supporting our hosts in the lead-up and during the Trails. 

🙋 If this sounds like you, get in touch with Cath to register your interest!
Email Cath here.

Keep an eye on our socials for our programme launch! You will soon be able to find the Trails Booklet, Bundle Cards for sale and all the information you need on the sustainablebackyards.org.nz website.  

Follow us on our socials for updates: Facebook & Instagram! 🌻

Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners and hosts for working with us to create such an exciting event. We can't wait! 💚

🧑‍🌾
2025 Royal A&P Show:
Volunteers needed in Stratford

We are looking for Zero Waste Volunteers to help us reduce waste during the 2025 Royal A&P show hosted by Stratford on 29 & 30 November!

Shifts will be throughout the day between 9am - 4pm, and volunteers will get free entry to the Show! Keen to help? ☀️ Register your interest below!

☀️ Awesome Nature Cleanup at Ōpunake!

Ka rawe Ōpunake! Another great cleanup today with 110kg (a full trailer) removed from our taiao in only 1h! 🤯 15 awesome volunteers helped! BIG ngā mihi for your help, especially to Ōpunake High School, Albie from Te Kahui o Taranaki Iwi & STDC for their support! 💚☀

65% was diverted from the landfill (tyres, recycling, glass, compost)! ♻️🦸 THANK YOU ALL!

➡️ If you want to run a community cleanup in Taranaki or if you want to support our programme, please get in touch by replying to this email! We can & need HELP! ☀

➡️ Sign up here to get notified for the next cleanups!

🌏 Business Support: we can help you do better for your community!

Every business and event has the potential to create a lasting, positive impact on the environment.🌿We offer expert support and guidance in waste reduction, sustainable purchasing and circular economy solutions, and meeting your corporate social responsibility goals.

➡️ Connect with Sophie to learn more: sophie.walker@sustainabletaranaki.org.nz 

♻️ Last week to enter the 2025 Taranaki Schools' Upcycling Competition 🛠️

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐈 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋𝐒 are invited to join the famous 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 🏆🛠
⚠️ Entries close on Friday the 1st of August 2025 at 3pm (Term 3)
🌿 At least 50% of the entry must be made from recycled, upcycled or reused material
☀️ Schools can submit multiple entries!

👀 Did you know that we have a Taranaki Seed Bank at the EnviroHub?

Go along to the EnviroHub* where you'll find a seed bank to swap seeds and information to help you on your way to seedsaving! If you don't have seeds to swap, take a couple of packets of seeds to begin your journey. A koha (donation) is always appreciated. Happy seedsaving!

📍*EnviroHub, next to the Brooklands Zoo, open Tue, Wed, Thu. // 9:30am - 2:30pm. More information here.

💸 Fundraise with us at fun local events!

CALLING LOCAL GROUPS! ☀️ Fundraise with us during the 2025 Taranaki Bulls season 🏉 and help us reduce waste! ♻️

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