Recyclable Boomerang Bags now arriving in Te Puke

Epic Te Puke marketing manager Rebecca Larsen and Karen McLaren with the new Boomerang Bags stands that will be placed in four locations around Te Puke

Judging by their aesthetic appeal, Te Puke's Boomerang Bags might not always come back.

Since May last year a team of sewers have been creating the bags from recycled fabric.

The idea is for them to be freely available in town as an alternative to plastic bags, or just to grab when there's nothing to put the shopping in.

This week the campaign scores a double, as four specially constructed stands are to be rolled out, and it closes in on 1000 recyclable bags made.

The kiwifruit-themed stands have been made from old dress stands donated by Giftrapt owner Marge Martelletti, and upcycled with the help of the Te Puke Menz Shed and EPIC Te Puke.

They will be placed at Giftrapt, Te Puke Library, Waipuna Hospice Shop and the Salvation Army Shop.

Fabric has been donated by Majestic Interiors, the town's op shops and individuals.

The Boomerang Bags can be returned or reused and anyone with a surplus of their own recyclable bags are also welcome to add them to the stands.

Sewing bees are being held weekly at the Te Puke High School sewing room on Wednesday evenings from 5-7pm.

More sewers and helpers are welcome either at the sewing bees, or, if they prefer, to sew the bags at home.

Campaign organisers Karen McLaren and Rebecca Larsen also welcome donations of fabric that can be dropped at Te Puke High School reception PGG Wrightson Real Estate or the town's op shops.

Sponsors Trevelyan's, Kiwicoast Lions and ChatterBox NZ have enable screen-printed labels to be made for each bag.