Her journey began with a simple idea: upcycling. After visiting local op shops and discovering how difficult it was to access unsellable clothing destined for landfill, Sonya realised volunteering was a better option than dumpster diving. That decision set the stage for something much bigger.

The turning point came during an event in June. A leaky roof and an overflow of donations left more than 500 boxes of items needing new homes. Sonya stepped in, taking 130 boxes of clothing and redistributing them to charities like Te Whare Koha, Palmerston North Street Van, and Butterfly Compassion Community. For months, she sorted, stored, and found homes for surplus items, all while trying to avoid burdening charities with more waste by picking up their left over textiles

Seeing the scale of the problem, Sonya felt there was more she could do. She built partnerships that transformed her vision into action. A textile recycling Company, Textile Products, in Auckland now turns end-of-life textiles into new products. Alsco cleans rescued textiles using commercial machines, and Mainfreight transports large loads of materials to Auckland for free. “All I had to do was ask nicely, and people said yes!” Sonya says. “The businesses have been amazing.[ST1] .”

“I live in chaos at the moment — there are clothes everywhere!” she laughs. But for Sonya, this is more than a project; it’s a calling. “I wake up every day excited. I love textiles. Sorting through them is like treasure hunting — finding amazing pieces feels like striking gold!” For Sonya, textile rescue touches many values: helping people, protecting the planet, and celebrating the beauty of natural materials. It’s creative, expressive, and fun — a true example of how one person’s passion can make a huge difference.

Where Next?

The future is full of possibilities. The recent Textile Hui was a fantastic success, bringing passionate people together to share ideas and explore opportunities. It was a chance to “shake the tree for ideas,” build community connections, and identify common goals, like creating a dedicated textile repurposing facility and finding innovative ways to upcycle materials.

Sonya’s next big focus is partnering with schools to host clothing swap and recycling events. These events will encourage students to adopt a “less is more” approach to fashion, offer opportunities to upcycle or recycle clothing, and ensure leftover items are donated, reused, or repurposed. She’s also exploring community swaps in areas like Feilding, so people who can’t easily get to Palmerston North still have access to clothing.

Keep an eye out for the next Textile Hui in 2026. Although Sonya isn’t accepting public donations of textiles right now, she’s looking for volunteers and helpers to join the mission. She’s also searching for the perfect space to work from — so if you know of a suitable venue or want to help, get in touch.

Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands!

What you can do about your clothing:

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The post Volunteer Spotlight Sonya Turk first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Reviving Plastic Toys:

Ian Robertson's Repair Magic

Extending the life of plastic items is the forte of Ian Robertson, a volunteer at the Palmerston North Repair Café. With a lifelong appreciation for plastic, Ian can repair all sorts of damaged items, often with repairs that are nearly invisible.

Ian's relationship with plastic began in childhood when he assembled kitset model planes. His interest soon shifted to trams and buses, leading him to design and create his own models from balsa wood and later from plastic in the 1960s, drawing on his experience with plastic slot car kits.

Throughout his adult life, Ian has repaired many of his own household plastic items to extend their lifespan, including a loaf slicer that has had multiple repairs and is still going strong today. During his time as a bus driver, he was commissioned to create various models, including a cable car that Wellington City Transport presented as a gift to their retiring General Manager; this model is now on display at the Cable Car Museum in Wellington.

Ian employs various techniques for repairing plastic, depending on the type of plastic and the required durability of the repair. Type 1 and 2 plastics can typically be welded together by melting the edges with chemicals or heat, or by adding melted plastic. Other types can be repaired with glue.

At the September event at the Highbury Whānau Centre, a visitor brought in a plastic toy boat that was broken in two places. Ian welded one break using a special chemical to melt the plastic; aside from a slight discolouration on the underside, the welded join was indiscernible. The other break required a more robust solution, so Ian reinforced the welded joint with plastic putty. He often finds that toys with wheels are the most frequently broken, as they endure the most abuse from children.

Gather up your broken plastic household items and toys and bring them along to the next Palmerston North Repair Café on Saturday, 26th October, between 9 am and 12 noon, where Ian will do his best to give them a new lease on life. Specialist repairers will also be present to carry out other types of repairs.

More info about the repair cafe here

The post Celebrating Volunteers – Reviving Plastic Toys: Ian Robertson's Repair Magic first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. They all have something in common: they enjoy meeting new people and doing something good for the environment. We’re so grateful to have such a great group of people coming together to support our unique little recycling programme.

There’s a great atmosphere, with people having a laugh, figuring out who has the best eyesight to identify the tiniest numbers on the plastic lids, and enjoying a good chat about life. Our volunteers have said they enjoy coming because they feel a part of a community, love having a chat, and enjoy meeting new people. One volunteer said she “always feels good going to lunch” afterwards because it’s fulfilling to give back. One volunteer also mentioned that it’s an opportunity to practise speaking English.

Individuals, community groups, and businesses drop off their lids to be recycled. We accept plastic lids (numbers 2, 4, and 5), as well as metal ones like beer and wine caps, and can tabs. Though each lid is tiny, together they make a big impact. On average, our volunteers hand-sort 7 to 8 kilograms of lids per week. To put that in perspective, a milk bottle lid weighs roughly 2.2 grams, and a beer bottle lid weighs about 2.5 grams—that’s around 3,200 lids sorted each week! The plastic lids are processed locally at Aotearoa NZ made plastics. Aluminium Wine bottle tops and tear tabs are collected by Lions Club as part of the Kidney Kids Cantabs fundraiser project. Every bit helps!

Please make very sure all items are clean before dropping them off. These lovely volunteers aren’t fans of surprise leftovers—especially expired ones—which can also attract rodents.

The post Volunteer of the Month: The ENM Lid Sorters first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Labour is committed to transitioning to a zero waste circular economy, focused on the waste hierarchy priorities of preventing and reducing waste and reusing resources, followed by recycling and safe disposal.

As part of part of our plan to reduce the amount of rubbish ending up in New Zealand’s landfills, we’re funding new recycling infrastructure and expanding the national waste levy scheme. We’re accelerating work to achieve better and more consistent kerbside collection of recyclables. And we’re progressing work on regulated product stewardship schemes for tough waste issues, such as e-waste. We’ve also banned single-use plastic bags and are looking at phasing out more single use plastics.

Through the Waste Minimisation Fund, we’re creating jobs by investing in projects to help New Zealand reduce, reuse, and recycle. And, we’re addressing food waste with $14.9 million investment to reduce waste by redirecting food to people in need.

Labour will continue to build on this progress.

There is no waste in nature; only cycles of resource use. The Green Party wants our communities and economy to run on the same no-waste principle. The Green Party has done more to address waste than any other previous government. We have banned single use plastic shopping bags, phased out micro-beads in cosmetics, and expanded the waste levy on landfills. We’re designing a container return scheme for beverage containers and have implemented mandatory product stewardship schemes, as well as improving Aotearoa’s kerbside recycling system. And we have secured $124m for new facilities and infrastructure to improve recycling and materials recovery and reprocessing. Next, we need to:

Develop a new Waste Strategy and review the Waste Minimisation Act and Litter Act to ensure we have the tools needed to put Aotearoa on a zero waste pathway.

The post Q3. Next steps to reduce waste and support product stewardship first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

(Same answer as question 3)

Labour is committed to transitioning to a zero waste circular economy, focused on the waste hierarchy priorities of preventing and reducing waste and reusing resources, followed by recycling and safe disposal.

As part of part of our plan to reduce the amount of rubbish ending up in New Zealand’s landfills, we’re funding new recycling infrastructure and expanding the national waste levy scheme. We’re accelerating work to achieve better and more consistent kerbside collection of recyclables. And we’re progressing work on regulated product stewardship schemes for tough waste issues, such as e-waste. We’ve also banned single-use plastic bags and are looking at phasing out more single use plastics.

Through the Waste Minimisation Fund, we’re creating jobs by investing in projects to help New Zealand reduce, reuse, and recycle. And, we’re addressing food waste with $14.9 million investment to reduce waste by redirecting food to people in need.

Labour will continue to build on this progress.

The Green Party supports reducing waste at every step of the production chain. Protecting Papatūānuku, and creating jobs in the process, requires effective regulation, incentives, and innovation. We will continue to invest in waste reduction and community initiatives, encouraging the recovery, reuse, redistribution, recycling, and reallocation of materials. Through careful planning and a clear vision, we will create a sustainable and circular economy. For example, the Green Party will:

The post Q6. Recycling and Upcycling first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Trina Sheridan and her colleague Jo Donaldson, community assistant from Latitude Homes were looking at a positive way to offer support to families at Christmas time and came up with the idea of gift packs for children of families who might struggle with this. They decided to work in collaboration with the NZ Police, who distributed 350 gift packs BCC created from their personal and Latitude donations, and as Trina recalls ‘found it a really positive thing to do in the community which also helped people see the police in a different light’. Gift packs given out almost trebled in amount to 1000 last Christmas, with further donation gifting.

Feedback from this action was encouraging, so Trina and her team of volunteers decided not just to limit activities to Christmas, but to look and see what other needs that were out there could be met. This evolved into working with the children’s ward at the hospital, providing sensory boards, and working with organisations such as Age Concern and Alzheimer’s New Zealand for provide care packs for the elderly and vulnerable.

All their initiatives have a strong sustainability and repurposing focus to care for our planet as well as our people. There is a focus on upcycling and reducing waste with the organization welcoming donations of ‘nearly new’ toys, books, clothes and blankets that can be included in packs, plus locally hand made items such as beanies and blankets. Trina is clear that ‘where there is need, we will assist’ and that they are there to complement and work alongside other groups in the area such as MENZshed and Supergrans Manawatū.

Trina is incredibly grateful to all the volunteers involved who give what they can, when they can, whether it is sewing, knitting or making packs. For her, the vision links to the butterfly landing on someone; ‘It lands and gives support then flies off, and sometimes it lands and stays for a while, and that person may choose to volunteer, donate and help’.

BCC welcomes donations and is also looking for volunteers to help with their work and can be contacted at info.butterflycompassion@gmail.com, FB, Instagram or Butterfly HQ 262 Rangitikei St (Latitude Homes), thanks to a generous Boss Graham who allows the butterfly to fly

The post Celebrating Volunteering. Trina Sheridan. Butterfly Compassion Community. first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Yoko shared a powerful reflection on how much the world has changed. Growing up in Japan, she recalls a time when there were no household waste disposal services—because there was no household rubbish. This wasn’t just due to simpler packaging, but also a deeply ingrained “waste not, want not” mindset that shaped everyday life.

Inspired by this philosophy, Yoko has created a vibrant and inclusive community group focused on upcycling. The group rescues materials from landfill and transforms them into beautiful, useful crafts. It’s a space where creativity meets sustainability, and people of all ages are welcome to join in.

Yoko’s group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays from 2–4pm, offering a warm and welcoming environment for anyone interested in reducing waste and learning new skills. You can find more details on our events calendar.

Through her work, Yoko is not only preserving valuable traditions but also building a culture of care and resourcefulness—one craft at a time.

The post Upcycle One Club Interview first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Earlier this year, Yo dedicated eight weeks as an intern with ENM as part of her studies for a Master of Sustainable Development Goals at Massey University, a unique programme in Australasia. This master's degree focuses on the theory and practice of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling some of the most urgent challenges facing humanity and the planet: sustainability.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, outlines a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, both now and in the future. At its core are the 17 SDGs, which serve as an urgent call to action for all countries—both developed and developing—to form a global partnership. These goals acknowledge that ending poverty and other forms of deprivation must be linked with strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and stimulate economic growth, all while addressing climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Originally from Thailand, Yo has travelled and worked around the globe, including on rail networks in Australia and New Zealand's North and South Islands. 

When she’s not busy volunteering for ENM, her passions include tramping, propagating houseplants, and adoring cats. 

Full of energy, enthusiasm, and competence, Yo is a tremendous asset to any project or event and is truly making a positive impact on the world—one action at a time.

The post Yo Bunpunlert: Inspiring Sustainable Change in Our Community first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

Paula became a regular volunteer for Supergrans Manawatū where she teaches a weekly sewing class, after learning about them at one of the earlier Repair Cafe’s. Supergrans Manawatū works to help build resilience in the community by empowering and guiding whanau and individuals to develop health sustainable life skills including sewing knitting preserving and cooking, through one on one, group and workshop opportunities. Paula loves her sewing class, which up to five people attend per week and appreciates being involved with the organisation which she notes ‘ gives me a sense of community and belonging, fosters spirit and offers support with other things’. There are many volunteering opportunities within Supergrans and interest and enquiries are welcomed. For Paula, one and a half years in, she has found a space where she feels like she is ‘part of a team’.

Paula also volunteers for Palmerston North Repair Café, where she is the resident darner and cuddly toy mending specialist. Her skills arguably bring the biggest smiles every cafe, as a child (and a relieved parent) has their beloved toy returned to a happier state. Paula says she ‘loves the challenge of there being a problem and finding a solution for it... things like teddy bears are something I know how is constructed as I have made them myself’ . Her skill, kindness and patience is appreciated by each Repair Café customer she interacts with.

To find out more about Supergrans Manawatū go to www.sgmanawatu.org.nz or email the manager Joanne Baird on manager@sgmanawatu.org.nz . Keep an eye on their website for upcoming 2024 workshops.

To find out more about Palmerston North Repair Café you can follow them on Facebook.

Supergrans Manawatū are a member group of Environment Network Manawatū. Find out more on www.enm.org.nz .

The post Celebrating Volunteering. Paula from Supergrans Manawatū first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.

When her two children left home Anne was keen to find something to be involved with, and volunteering was a natural step. Anne notes that ‘my family have always been involved in community stuff… the way I was brought up, is that you have the time and capacity then doing volunteer work is something someone should do to give back to the community you live in. It enriches you and the community’.

Anne realized that through working in Palmerston North all her professional life and her kids going to school there that she had had not made connections with where she was living and wanted a volunteer role within her own rohe of Pohangina. The Society for the Resilience and Engagement of the People of Ashhurst and Pohangina (RECAP) ticked all the boxes, and she has been on their board for 12 years, 10 years as secretary. When asked as to the ‘why?’ of such a significant volunteer stint, Anne notes that she has met ‘so many good people… and I’m finding out more about the local community, which has been really empowering… you can get things done, but sometimes it’s about not accepting a situation as it is and it has taught me that change can happen which is a great life lesson’

Anne is also an active part of the Palmerston North Repair Café Committee and a volunteer book repairer at their monthly events. Anne was a book repairer at Massey Library for over 20 years and enjoys the Repair Café as ‘ It keeps me using the skills I gained in my professional life as not many people comfortable or have the knowledge to mend books’. She has enjoyed meeting a whole new group of people and using her unique skills. She notes it is very ’low stress’ volunteering and a wonderful experience for all involved.

RECAP is a member group of Environment Network Manawatū and Palmerston North Repair Café is one of its projects. Find out more at www.recap.org.nz and on Facebook @palmerstonnorthrepaircafe.

The post Celebrating Volunteering: Anne van- Brunt. RECAP and Palmerston North Repair Cafe first appeared on Environment Network Manawatu Incorporated.