Repair culture continues to grow in Nelson

Nelson City Council has awarded funding to two community organisations for activities that encourage a repair culture and reduce waste to landfill in Whakatū.

The Nelson Tasman Climate Forum (through the Tasman Environmental Trust), and St Stephens Anglican Community Church have both received an waste minimisation activity grant from Rethink Waste Whakaarohia to support repair cafés in 2023.  

Repair cafés help to extend the life of consumer goods and reduce waste to landfill by carrying out repairs or helping people learn to repair their own household items.  

Nelson City Council’s Acting Group Manager Infrastructure Lois Plum says the funding aligns with regional plans to minimise waste and reduce carbon emissions.  

“Repairing things rather than throwing them away helps to save money and the environment. When we reduce waste to landfill it reduces our greenhouse gas emissions as a Council and it helps to make our whole waste system more sustainable.  

“We’re delighted to be able to help these experienced organisations take action to reduce waste and build a culture of repair in Nelson Whakatū.” 

The Nelson Tasman Climate Forum will receive $5925 to support ten repair café events in 2023. As part of the grant, the group will also contribute to the development of a national repair café manual being developed by Repair Café Aotearoa.  

St Stephens Anglican Community Church has been awarded $2000 to promote their Silver Service Repair Café, which is held weekly at ReStore on Tāhunanui Drive. 

To learn more, and find links to repair café events visit: www.nelson.govt.nz/repair-cafes