Time to shine a little light on another local hero community, Cromwell. When you’re blessed with such a spectacular natural landscape, the last thing that locals wanted to see was plastic bags littering the lake and blowing into the trees.

That’s how Keep It Green Cromwell came into being. They kicked off by asking for volunteers and old fabric so they could set up a sewing bee to produce reusable bags as an alternative to single-use plastic bags. They’ve also produced custom-made jute bags with their own logo on them.

To raise funds to help them make more reusable bags, they’ve been selling the jute bags at local fetes. Cromwell’s local Paper Plus has also been a huge help by placing a donation box at their checkout counter, as well as selling the jute bags.

What’s up next for Keep It Green Cromwell? They’re working on getting rental car companies to include reusable bags in their vehicles so visitors to the district will use them instead of plastic bags when they stock up with groceries for their stay. Plus they’ve got their sights on disposable paper cups and smarter ways on how to reduce them too.

One of the biggest challenges for Keep It Green Cromwell has been getting enough volunteers to help. So if you live in the area and you’re keen to keep your beautiful part of NZ looking pristine, they’d welcome your support:

http:facebook.com/pg/CromwellRecyclingCommunity/posts/?ref=page_internal/

On Earth Day this year, the Pohutukawa Coast community south-east of Auckland launched their Plastic Free Pohutukawa Coast initiative. Their 3-phase plan sets out to erradicate all single-use plastics from the area by 2020.

Phase 1 aims to rid the Beachlands community of single-use plastic bags and drinking straws by the end of December 2018. Phase 2 then targets disposable drink containers like coffee cups and junk mail with the goal of getting rid of them by the end of 2019. Finally, Phase 3 sets its sights on plastic water bottles, fizzy drink bottles and everything else.

If all goes according to plan, Beachlands and, hopefully, the whole Pohutukawa Coast will be a completely single-use plastics free zone by the end of 2020.

Gotta say, we love the simple structured approach this community is taking. Find out more about their efforts here:

https://www.facebook.com/Plastic-Free-Pohutukawa-Coast-901532956691319/

We hope you’re inspired enough to think about setting up your own local initiative. We’re here to help. Contact “Bags Not” and we’ll hook you up with info, advice and resources to help get you started.

Talk about a kerb refurb! Thanks to Auckland Council’s new wheelie bin service, there’s no more plastic bags spilling their rubbishy guts all over the neighbourhood. North Shore, you made a wheelie smart choice. Time’s up for the old plastic bag.
But why stop there? Say no to all single use plastics – simple changes can make a big difference.

http://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2018/4/north-shore-bin-collections-top-tips//