“This approach has led us to gather a lot of knowledge which we decided to compile as regional shopping guides,” they said.
The guide lists many low-waste options, stores and services for food, drink, kitchen, food packaging, cleaning products, bathroom products and community groups, council services and ideas for tricky waste streams in the district.
Tairawhiti Environment Centre enviro-education co-ordinator Anne-Marie Vigeant said the list makes it easier for people to enter into a waste-free lifestyle.
“It provides the information they want and helps by cutting out the research process,” she said.
*The Rubbish Trip received a commendation award at the 2018 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards for their work communicating for change.
Ms Blumhardt and Mr Prince have created 15 regional zero-waste shopping guides.
“The guides are for people to refer to and hopefully add to.
“If a region is not on our list, rest assured we are adding them as we go,” they said. Search http://www.therubbishtrip.co.nz to view the guides.
Gisborne’s zero-waste guide
— Wholefood stores, butchers, bakeries and markets that offer unpackaged items, stock refills for your reusable containers, jars and bags.
— Kitchen and food packaging alternatives ranging from beeswax wraps to reusable straws and sandwich bags.
— Dishwashing brushes with wooden handles and removable, replaceable and compostable heads with plant fibre bristles.
— Dishcloths made of natural fibres instead of synthetic materials that leach microfibres.
— Ingredients for do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning products, cosmetics and toiletries.
— Bamboo toothbrushes and dental floss (100 percent silk).
— Unpackaged bars of soap, shampoo, deodorant and moisturiser.
— Reusable menstrual products (cups and washable pads).
— Compostable cotton buds, toilet paper packaging and reusable nappies.
— Tips and workshops available on food waste options from home compost, worm farms, or a bokashi system.
— E-waste (electronic waste) reuse or recycle options.
— Zero waste information and community support networks.
— Share and exchange groups for toys, skills, crops and crafts.
— Crop swaps — trade homegrown or handmade goodies (avoid the packaging that can come from a store setting).
— Skills and resourcefulness community groups and workshops that teach skills like cooking from scratch, mending and repairing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, woodwork, budgeting and frugal living.
