Living circular in the Manawatū

A circular economy is about much more than recycling. It's about reducing waste in the first place and making the most of the resources we already have.

Imagine a system where products and materials stay in use for as long as possible through sharing, repairing, reusing, repurposing and recycling. Instead of throwing things away, we keep valuable materials in circulation and reduce the need to take new resources from the environment.

The circular economy is built on three key principles: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating nature.

The waste hierarchy shows the best ways to reduce waste, starting with refusing and reducing what we consume, then reusing, repairing and recycling. Below, you'll find local businesses, organisations and practical ideas to help you live more circularly in Manawatū.

Avoid waste

Reduce, rethink, redesign

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.
  • DIY your own 'paper towels' with fabric on a roll 
  • Opt for reusable over single use products like diva cups, washable nappies, and wipes 
  • Make food from scratch like bread, soup and cake to avoid plastic packaging, use the grocery shopping guide to get package free items 

 

Avoid food waste

 

Get your business to do a waste audit with Precycle

Reduce waste 

Reuse, repair, repurpose

Borrow 

  • Borrow from freinds and family
  • Rent or hire items for one off use, such as furniture and decorations for events, or dresses, suits, and costumes that will only be worn once.
  • Book libraries 
  • Seed libraries 
  • Gardening tool Library Environment Network Manawatū
  • Toy library
    • Levin - 37 Hinemoa Street, Levin 5510
    • Dannevirke - in front of the AMP Wai Splash Indoor Pool Complex, 35 York Street, Dannevirke 4930
    • Bulls - 198 Bridge Street, Bulls 4818
    • Palmerston North - 200 Church Street, West End, Palmerston North 4412

 

Repair 

 

Upcycle

 

Recycle waste

Recycle, compost

Recycling

Composting 

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