We featured The Pallet Kingdom in August. What has been happening since?
We've had a dramatic increase in calls for pallet collection, which is fabulous because one of our aims is to encourage conscious disposal of pallets. Since we last connected we've diverted about 600 pallets. Our orders for custom-made products have also increased. We're conquering another goal, to be deeply involved with schools and young people, and delivered workshops in sustainable practices and building using pallets at schools and community events.
What is your biggest achievement in 2015?
Everything we've learned. We're really proud to have more machinery and a better vehicle to carry a lot more pallets and pull a trailer. We've been operating for more than a year with no external aid other than an initial $1000 JAPhA fund award from the Auckland Communities Trust, so this is the result of our hard work. We've worked hard to avoid relying on grants so when we get an investor we can prove this is a feasible, self-sustaining idea. And it's rewarding to see the environmental impact of transforming pallets into art and also the social impact on young people in our team, like seeing some able to buy a first car.
What is the year's biggest challenge?