Resources, recast: 2024's Waste Minimisation Community Fund recipients announced

The $60,000 fund supports local initiatives that contribute to waste reduction and resource efficiency in the district. The fund received a diverse range of applications from individuals, community groups, and businesses passionate about promoting a circular economy by transforming and repurposing resources, that might otherwise be viewed as waste, into useful items.  

Among the successful applicants is Wānaka's Profficiency, whose project Brew & Reuse transforms grain bags from the brewing process into reusable tote bags. After being sourced from breweries, the bags are thoroughly cleaned to remove residual grain. From there, 95% of the grain bag is cut to a pattern and sewn to make upcycled tote bags that are sturdy and spacious, for errands like grocery shopping. 

“Receiving a grant from the WMCF is invaluable for this project.  This grant has been key for us in helping get things off the ground,” said Joaquin Bonet from Profficiency. 

Wānaka's Classic Stitch-Ups, led by owner and seamster Sam Bickley, is a growing business with a mission to support reuse and repair in the region. With the funding, Bickley aims to work with a wider number of local schools, businesses and community organisations to repair uniform items and outdoor gear, extending the lifecycle of the item or garment and reducing waste to landfill. His vision also includes hosting educational community workshops and sewing bees.  

"This grant will enable us to broaden our reach and deepen our impact by taking others along on the journey of textile waste reduction," said Bickley.

"We're excited to empower our community with the skills and knowledge to embrace a more circular economy, where repair and reuse are valued over disposal." 

Further transformation in the district will be thanks to a newly funded Tool Library at the Wānaka Community Workshop, while Naylor Love aims to use its grant to reduce the amount of construction waste going to landfill and, in the process, transform industry and community mindsets. 

QLDC Senior Sustainability Advisor, Kath Buttar said the level of interest in the fund has been outstanding, reflecting the community's passion and commitment toward reducing waste.  

“Among the successful recipients we have a fantastic mix of projects focusing on reduction, repurposing, and repair. These initiatives will play a crucial role in helping to create a more sustainable future for our district.”  

Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward Councillor Cody Tucker, who is a panelist on the Waste Minimisation Community Fund, said he is deeply inspired by the innovative projects from the community.  

“From tool libraries to diverting construction leftovers and local frisbee production from used materials, these initiatives show how creativity can transform waste management. It's a privilege to support these endeavors that challenge us to rethink waste in resourceful ways."  

Another funding round will be launched in 2025.

WMCF 2024 recipients:

Naylor Love’s Community Upcycling Station will reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste going to landfill and promote sustainable practices within the industry.  

Kanuka Corner Early Childhood Centre will set up 'The Repair and Reuse Shop' will teach children recycling and repurposing skills. This space will allow them to involve children in repairing and repurposing broken items around the centre.

Sofia Cinque to host Sustainable Periods workshops that aim to educate and empower individuals about sustainable menstruation practices. Her goal is to enhance menstrual wellbeing, demonstrate the benefits of sustainable products, and encourage broader adoption of low-waste options. 

Tikki Studios Ltd. will offer an affordable afterschool program to teach the next generation about textile sustainability by providing focused sewing classes to teach students skills to work with textiles, mend and upcycle.

Shotover School & Community Waste Minimisation Project will set up a comprehensive composting system to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability at their primary school. This initiative will educate students and community members on composting, waste reduction, and sustainable practices through hands-on learning experiences. 

Ian Fitzpatrick's Trash Goblin initiative will establish collection points for plastic bottle tops and lids across the Queenstown Lakes District, including schools and businesses. The collected plastic will be shredded, melted, and molded into disc golf discs, founding a small local business that diverts waste from landfills and turns it into a useful product. 

Brew & Reuse will repurpose used grain bags from breweries into practical, long-lasting tote bags for everyday use. Bags otherwise destined for landfill will be collected from breweries will undergo cleaning and inspections to remove residual grain, then be cut using patterns before being assembled into tote bags.

Remarkables Primary School’s Kaitiakitanga Kaupapa programme will enhance students' environmental awareness. They will implement a student-led waste management system, featuring a tuakana-teina (older-younger sibling) model where students will oversee composting solutions for food scraps and green waste generated onsite, raising awareness about converting organic waste into soil.  

Kāhu Youth Trust will create bin signage prototypes to improve waste diversion at events, aiming to produce functional and user-friendly designs that are aligned with best practice guidelines. 

Crimson Badger Brewing’s Shrink Use of Shrink Wrap will implement the the use of reusable stock containment nets to reduce or eliminate the approximately 40 meters of plastic wrap used per pallet shipped.

Classic StitchUps will expand repair services for uniforms and outdoor gear across local schools, businesses, and community organisations in Wānaka. They aim to foster a circular mindset by equipping the community with the knowledge and skills to repair items (or seek repairs) rather than discarding them.

Skyline Queenstown plan to creatively rebrand and repurpose old uniforms, demonstrating that clothing can have new uses instead of going to the landfill. This initiative, in collaboration with Tikki Studio and Active Print & Promotion, will highlight their commitment to sustainability and reduce landfill waste.

Wānaka Community Workshop Trust’s tool library will be established for the community. This will involve the purchase of specialised tools, the creation of storage space to house the tools, and setting up a hire system to facilitate the borrowing process for tools.

For more information and a list of recipients from previous years visit: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/wmcf