The Clutha District Council has teamed up with Balclutha New World, Dunedin Curtain Bank and the Clutha Change Collective to provide free shopping bags in support of ''Plastic-Free July''.
The bags will be made by members of the Clutha Change Collective and various other groups in the Clutha district using material donated by the Dunedin Curtain Bank. They will be distributed at Balclutha New World during July.
Clutha Change Collective member Denise Dent said the idea was inspired by ''boomerang bags'', which had risen in popularity in Australia.
The change collective had named the bags they were making ''koha bags''.
''It's trying to discourage people taking plastic bags. The idea is that you can take a bag when you need it, put your shopping in it and bring it back the next time.''
The group was also on the lookout for more people to get involved and help sew bags. Material was available from the Clutha District Council where completed bags could also be dropped off for distribution later in the year.
It was about the community helping each other to take control and move towards sustainable living.
''I think there's quite a lot of people in the area who are quite concerned about the state of the world and the mountains of plastic waste that there is everywhere,'' Ms Dent said.
Clutha District Council waste minimisation officer Steve Clarke said it was an environmental initiative.
Mr Clarke was charged with finding initiatives, such as ''Plastic-Free July'', that would raise awareness or minimise the amount of waste in the district.
There were lots of little things anybody could do to make a small change, he said.
More volunteers were needed, and anyone who could provide their sewing services for the initiative was encouraged to contact the council.
