We aim for a thriving planet that sustains future generations by fostering a circular economy where resources are reused and valued.
We connect and support community groups, provide education, and build strong networks to improve local practices. Through shared initiatives and upskilling, we empower people to make informed choices and contribute to sustainable change.
What we choose today...
...shapes a thriving future
...protects what comes next
A circular economy ensures resources are used in a way that protects and restores the natural environment by avoiding those that harm the environment at any point in their lifecycle.
It also means using less, and when we do need something, to keep it in use for as long as possible.
Our network in this area works together to promote and educate about Circular Economy practices and activities within our community.
Our goal is for our community to use circular economy practices so that our planet can thrive and continue to provide us with resources for generations to come.
ENM's network includes groups across Manawatū working on strengthening the circular economy, from repair and reuse initiatives to community recycling programmes and sustainable business practices. Browse the directory to find a group near you, or one that matches what you care about.
Browse the directory to find a group near you, or one that matches what you care about.
Climate Action Groups:
This means we need to consume more carefully by:
Plastic free living
Zero plastic Resources - Plastic Free July
Grocery shopping zero waste in the Manawatū
Buy second hand when possible
Take aways - bring your own containers, eat at the restaurant or opt for places like that use cardboard containers.
Use natural materials that are infinitely recyclable, like glass and metal, or compostable, like cotton, wool, and wood.
Avoid food waste
Buy wonky vegetables - Wonky box, Misfit garden
Donate food - find the list of Sharing Shelves (Pātaka Kai)
Crop swaps - find the next event
Make the most of what's in your kitchen - Supercook tool
Learn to preserve your food - Supergrans Manawatū
Repair
Repair cafes in the Manawatu - monthly events where you can take your things to get repaired (clothes, jewelry, small furniture, toys, etc)
Our goal is for our community to use circular economy practices so that our planet can thrive and continue to provide us with resources for generations to come.
Key initiatives
Circular Economy
Palmerston North Repair Café
Bring your broken belongings and local volunteer experts will do their best to fix them, for free. Clothing, toys, household goods, bikes, books, jewellery and electronics can all be brought in. Running since September 2022 with support from Palmerston North City Council, MENZSHED, SuperGrans Manawatū and B&M Electrical, the Repair Café keeps useful things out of landfill. There are refreshments and kids' activities too.
Palmerston North Community Centre, 569 Ferguson Street
Drop your clean plastic and metal lids at ENM and we'll make sure they're recycled properly. Plastic lids go to Aotearoa NZ Made to become refuse bags, steel lids go to MetalCo, and aluminium lids support the Lions Club Kidney Kids project. Through Recycle A Device (RAD), we give old laptops a new life. Entelar wipes the data, and the laptops then go to schools and community groups so more kids can get online.
This is a growing network of people working to cut textile waste in the Manawatū and beyond. Through regular hui, members share ideas and resources and act together. New projects have grown out of the group, including Textile Rescue, a proposed fabric and yarn op shop, and a Textile Recovery Hub concept. Members connect with local efforts such as Fabric-a-brac, the Red Cross Curtain Bank and Ngā Ringa Maha Collective.
Gather your team and help take plastic and other litter out of Palmerston North's streams and rivers. Choose a mapped section of waterway, then pick a one-off date or adopt the section for ongoing care. ENM provides all the equipment and a full planning guide. This work is done in partnership with Palmerston North City Council, Zero Waste Aotearoa and Rangitāne. He waka eke noa: we are all in this together.
As the region's sector-lead environmental organisation, ENM has a responsibility to advocate for a circular economy at a local and regional level. That means making submissions on relevant policy proposals, feeding community perspectives to council and government, and ensuring that climate considerations are part of the conversations shaping Manawatū's future.
We work with our member organisations and the wider community to develop and amplify submissions, so that the voices of people who care about climate in the Manawatū are heard where decisions are made.
Whether you’re looking to volunteer, connect your organisation with others in the sector, or support environmental initiatives in the region, we’d love to hear from you.
