“Some people don’t realise you can reuse the lids, with Agee jars it’s possible to reuse the seals.
“We have Eco products now, we can fill plastic containers customers bring along with dishwashing liquid, laundry powder and shampoos. My task every Saturday is to replenish the supplies in the shop. The containers aren’t going into landfills, they’re being reused,” she said.
Other items in the shop can be bought for a donation, including material, plant pots, egg cartons, newspapers, bubble wrap and ice cream containers. People are invited to bring in these items as well.
This is the first time Wakeling has tried volunteering, having worked up to retirement age running a lawns and gardens business in Whanganui. Before that, she had worked at the Hikurangi Rest Home. After three weeks of retirement, she decided to give volunteering a go.
Wakeling does her own preserves and has a stall at her house on the fence. “I was going to give that up, but everyone said ‘don’t’,” she said.