Auckland families will soon have the chance to get tips from a waste-free parenting warrior, with workshops happening in locations around the region.
Kate Meads, also known as The Nappy Lady, is an environmental advocate whose workshops share inspiration and tips to minimise waste at home, especially for those with a young baby or children.
The Waste Free Parenting Workshop are running:
- Monday 11 April, 7pm-9.30pm – Tamaki Ex-Services Association Hall, St Heliers
- Tuesday 12 April, 7pm-9.30pm – The Centre – Stevenson Room, Pukekohe, Franklin
- Wednesday 13 April, 9am-midday – Takapuna War Memorial Hall, Takapuna
- Wednesday 27 April, 7pm-9.30pm - Helensville War Memorial Hall, Helensville (funded by the Rodney Local Board)
Kate has run her workshops around New Zealand for many years. In the early days, she focused on sessions about using cloth nappies, but this has broadened out to the many ways people with children can live more sustainably – while contributing to Auckland’s vision to be zero waste by 2040.
“There are so many different household options out there now that make environmentally conscious choices so much easier - from reusable baby food pouches and lunch wraps, to easy to use and wash cloth nappies.
"As a parent, you have a vested interest in wanting to protect our planet for the future; these workshops give great tips on easy ways to do just that. If we all just make a small change every day, the results will be hugely significant,” she says.
Free green products
Attendees at the workshop will receive free environmentally friendly products including modern cloth nappies and sustainable home wares such as Kai Carriers and Honey Wraps.
Regional Strategy and Policy Committee chair, Councillor George Wood, says the workshops are one of the many initiatives Auckland Council is delivering to ensure the city reduces waste.
“The workshop is a great way for people to learn how to make positive environmental choices at home, providing practical ideas to make simple changes that really do make a difference,” he says.
Kate says the audience for the workshop has expanded over the years.
Not just mums welcome to workshops
“I’m finding that it’s not just new mums coming to these workshops, but expectant parents, lots of grandparents, care-givers, child care workers and environmentally conscious child-free people wanting to pick up sustainable tips for the home.
"It’s not just the primary care-giver who needs to know these tips, but the entire household, which is why the ticket price will cover two adults from one household,” she says.
The Waste Free Parenting Workshops are regionally funded by Auckland Council through the Waste Minimisation Levy, which helps toward making Auckland a zero waste city by 2040.
Tickets are $30 per person / $35 per couple and include a cuppa and a light snack, with one free pack per family.
The Rodney Local Board has provided an additional subsidy for the Helensville event, with tickets $25 per household couple, or $15 with a community services card. One free pack per family.
Book now at thenappylady.co.nz
