Zero Waste Ōtaki launches sustainably-focused initiative
“I’ve always loved creating things from scratch. In fact, I think I was born with tools already in my hands”, says Zero Waste Ōtaki (ZWO) Founder, Jamie Bull.
Brought up in Blenheim, her father was a skilled joiner /cabinet maker and master craftsman in wood who, most notably, created the first-ever oval cabinet table for the New Zealand Parliament.
This instinct to create was mirrored in Jamie’s own career and she established New Zealand’s first contemporary dance company, Impulse Dance Theatre, in 1975. “I’ve always thought that even the wildest of ideas are possible. I was pioneering then, and I continue to pioneer now”, says Jamie.
ZWO’s journey started at Ōtaki’s ‘what a load of rubbish’ Community Forum three years before their eventual launch. With a focus on brainstorming cost-effective initiatives to minimise waste destined for landfill, this forum provided not only an arena for discussion but also ground ‘zero’ for what would become Zero Waste Ōtaki. This initiative is now based on their own site beside the Ōtaki Transfer Station, Riverbank Road.
Modelled on Raglan’s successful community waste minimisation initiative; Xtreme Zero Waste, ZWO primarily aims to divert wood from landfill, while creating pathways to employment, and engaging and educating locals. Attracting second hand (or even third hand) wood donations from as far away as Paekakariki and Palmerston North; ZWO processes the wood before on-selling to enthusiastic locals.
Adrienne Bushell (Nikau Foundation), Jamie Bull (Founder, Zero Waste Ōtaki), Kāpiti Mayor, K (Guru) Gurunathan and Ōtaki MP, Terisa Ngobi attending Zero Waste Ōtaki’s launch event in January 2021.
Although complications caused by the COVID-19 lockdown meant that ZWO almost didn’t eventuate, Jamie is proud to have finally launched in late January 2021. Attended by 50 enthusiastic locals, including Kapiti Mayor, K (Guru) Gurunathan and Ōtaki MP, Terisa Ngobi, this special launch included a blessing from local iwi and morning tea.
Since launch day, ZWO has diverted approximately 11 tons of wood waste from landfill and have expanded their drop off times from once a month; adding every Wednesday morning to keep up with demand. With plans to eventually upcycle the wood, creating planters and chicken houses, the sky is the limit for ZWO. “We are trying to go step by step at the moment but demand has been so high, we are starting to go leap by leap!”, says Jamie.
Recognising the importance of ZWO’s initiative, Nikau was delighted to support, funding the purchase of a shipping container to serve as a storage and processing space, funding the electricity installation and power in the container.
How to donate:
If you would like to contribute any used wood, please drop it in Zero Waste Ōtaki on a Wednesday morning or the last Sunday of the month.
You can also divert wood you have paid to dump via the skip at the tip face at the Ōtaki Transfer station.
