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The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
By switching this for that, you can make your household tread more lightly on the earth
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1. Soap bars
Ditch plastic bottles in favour of solid shampoos, conditioners and dish soaps (Ethique and Ahhh Cosmetics offer good locally made options). To help these products last longer, invest in the … View moreBy switching this for that, you can make your household tread more lightly on the earth
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1. Soap bars
Ditch plastic bottles in favour of solid shampoos, conditioners and dish soaps (Ethique and Ahhh Cosmetics offer good locally made options). To help these products last longer, invest in the Dunedin-made Block Dock to ensure your soap dries properly between uses.
2. Metal pegs
Bento Ninja’s stainless-steel Forever Pegs won’t go rusty and they last longer (and look nicer) than their plastic counterparts.
3. Ceramic coffee cups
If you buy coffee on the go and don’t have a reusable cup yet, this should be the one swap you make right now. There are lots of beautiful options, including these Pottery for the Planet cups, from AU$25. Also keep an eye on uyo.nz, which has a guide to the cafes that will let you bring your own cup, container and much more.
4. Biodegradable dish brush
Bye, bye plastic dish brush, hello wooden brush with replaceable, biodegradable head. Yeseco Dish Brush $15.95; replacement heads $16.95 for 3, are stocked at Natural Things. (Bench organiser sold separately)
5. Reusable straws
Swap disposable straws for reusable or biodegradable options. Just $19 will buy you three glass straws, plus a cleaning brush and bag made in New Zealand from offcuts so you won’t be caught out next time you order a cocktail or smoothie.
6. Bulk buy
Reduce your plastic packaging by shopping for pantry staples at a bulk foods store. If you don’t live near a good one, Wanaka-based Honest Wholefood Co offers a local delivery service, as well as a nationwide postal option.
7. Beeswax wraps
Cling wrap can’t be recycled, even in the soft plastic recycling scheme, so switching to a reusable option is an easy environmental win. Try Hawke’s Bay-based LilyBee wrap for the ultimate beeswax solution. From $7 for a small wrap.
8. Reusable takeaway containers
Keep a container and cutlery in your bag or car and say no to takeaway packaging. Australian company Ever Eco makes beautiful stainless-steel containers, tumblers and reusable cutlery, as well as other useful eco objects. Little Bird Organics stock the handy products too.
9. Shopping bags
Now that supermarkets have gone plastic carry-bag free, an eco bag is an essential swap. Don’t forget to also bring produce bags for fruit and veges, and containers for the butcher and deli.
10. Cloth wrapping
Save on wrapping paper, tape and ribbon, and practise the Japanese art of furoshiki (cloth wrapping) with this reusable linen gift wrap. Alternatively, cut up vintage fabric, or reuse wrapping paper and ribbons along with paper tape.
11. Portable ply laptop stand
Instead of buying a plastic or metal laptop stand, check out the Happy Lappy, made in New Zealand from sustainably sourced plywood. The best part is your purchase of the portable stand will see 20 trees planted in Madagascar.
Words by: Fiona Ralph. Photography by: Bauer Syndication.
Have you been watching the game with your neighbours? Maybe you have invited the guy next door to come along and watch at the pub or you've organised a family BBQ on game day? You could win a $50 voucher - so game-day chips and dips are on us!
Simply enter the #neighbourlysupporters draw … View moreHave you been watching the game with your neighbours? Maybe you have invited the guy next door to come along and watch at the pub or you've organised a family BBQ on game day? You could win a $50 voucher - so game-day chips and dips are on us!
Simply enter the #neighbourlysupporters draw before the weekend.
Thanks to everyone who has entered so far! We love seeing what you have been up to in your neighbourhoods.
The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
Walking Stars is a night-time walking half marathon supporting Wellingtonians living with cancer.
Explore the iconic street of our city by night and spread hope for a cancer-free future.
Limited $79 tickets are still available.
Don’t miss out!
… View moreWalking Stars is a night-time walking half marathon supporting Wellingtonians living with cancer.
Explore the iconic street of our city by night and spread hope for a cancer-free future.
Limited $79 tickets are still available.
Don’t miss out!
Join thousands of people for Walking Stars 2019!
The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
DEMOCRACY DENIED
Q. How come any city councillor is able to completely ignore a ratepayer? In total contravention of their sworn oaths to do the opposite?
Oaths to uphold and facilitate rate payers, regardless of personal considerations, to help ratepayers/citizens understand and access the … View moreDEMOCRACY DENIED
Q. How come any city councillor is able to completely ignore a ratepayer? In total contravention of their sworn oaths to do the opposite?
Oaths to uphold and facilitate rate payers, regardless of personal considerations, to help ratepayers/citizens understand and access the democratic process?
If I am correct, it is the Mayors job (legal obligation) as ‘chief councillor’ to oversee councillors, to make sure that what he and all councillors do is lawful, procedurally correct, in line with protocols and their sworn duty as elected representatives in respect of serving rate payers needs and issues without judgement and that is not happening then something is very very wrong with democracy in Upper Hutt.
Q. So who’s not doing their job?
How come the Mayor has not done his job, as we understand it, in guiding the councillors in their sworn legal obligations to rate payers. How has he allowed our councillors to be derelict in their duty to us?
Did the Mayor not tell them their obligations as elected representatives to rate payers?
Did the Mayor instruct them regarding their obligations to us and in this instance they chose to ignore them?
Did the Mayor instruct them to ignore me?
That six (6) sworn representatives ignored me at the same time leaves me no choice but to conclude that it was a deliberate attempt to deny me my rights to democracy!
Q. How many others have been shut down, shut out, by this Mayor and Council?
How successful has this strategy been over the years of the Incumbent Mayors reign, that they were confident as a group, that this was the tactic to employ to deny me or anybody else democracy?
Whatever the answer is, each of them is responsible for their own choices, but the final overarching responsibility always comes back to the Mayor.
The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
The Wellington Report 2019 - six years on from the first version - takes an in-depth look across sev…
The call is out to bring back flowers and create a riot of colour in gardens this October for National Gardening Week!
National Gardening Week: Flower Power - 21-28 October 2019
To get you started flower-bombing register online between 1st and 14th October to receive a free packet of seeds … View moreThe call is out to bring back flowers and create a riot of colour in gardens this October for National Gardening Week!
National Gardening Week: Flower Power - 21-28 October 2019
To get you started flower-bombing register online between 1st and 14th October to receive a free packet of seeds from Yates flower range including flowers for colour & bees.
We’re also on the search for Yates Budding Young Gardener 2019, the lucky winner will become a Yates Kid Ambassador for one year and win a family trip for four, to Hawaii. Entries close 6th October.
T's & C's apply.
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