Eco Church NZ Update: Zero Waste workshop for churches - New Zealand | A RochaNew Zealand

Controlling predators on Mt Karioi to restore breeding seabird populations
Regional groups involved in a range of community-led habitat restoration projects
Mobilising and developing environmental leaders
Running environmental education programs

Eco Church NZ Update: Zero Waste workshop for churches

9th April 2020

Despite the challenges of living in lockdown, church communities across NZ are finding new ways of meeting and connecting with each other. It’s incredible to see how quickly and creatively we can adjust to change when needed. It certainly has not been easy – but driven by knowledge, people throughout NZ are working together.

Meanwhile, there is a growing awareness that we must take care of and protect creation, not only for our own benefit but equally because ecosystems and species have intrinsic value. The current epidemic has highlighted the value of nature in so many different ways, from people rediscovering the birdsong in their neighbourhoods to enjoying cleaner air in the world’s major cities.

Photo credit: Mary Hutchinson

One of A Rocha’s new initiatives, the Eco Church NZ programme, supports churches to care for creation. The programme is gradually developing as we get feedback and support from individuals and churches.

As part of this initiative we are developing a Zero Waste programme for churches in partnership with Para Kore. The planned pilot workshop in Christchurch has been postponed but in the meantime we will be providing encouragement, information and resources that might support you at home and in your church community.

If you would like more information please contact us. We are looking for several churches in each region to come together to participate in the planned workshops in future.

One of the big challenges for Zero Waste while in Alert Level 4 is the suspension of recycling services by many councils. Even councils that are still collecting recycling are having to dump recycling into the landfill. This is due to their kerbside recycling sorting and processing partners and offshore recycling plants suspending operations.

For information on how to reduce our recycling stockpile during lockdown, read this article by two Zero Waste champions, Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince of The Rubbish Trip.

The Rubbish Trip: Liam Prince and Hannah Blumhardt