Grassroots Circular Economy

Wouna le Roux

Wouna is a textile artist based at Square Edge Community Arts, creating work that is often 3D/sculptural by nature.  She primarily uses second hand or discarded clothes and found fabrics, and aim for sustainability in her practice. By repurposing and reworking these textiles into artworks, they are transformed, ‘reborn’ and given a new lease of life.

www.wounaleroux.com/
www.instagram.com/wiwi_makes_wiwi_creates/

Sculpture: But one mother, but one earth/Borrowed time (2023).

It featured in two separate exhibitions, and I change the name for the second exhibition- hence the two titles. 

Lucian Acaru

Lucian Acaru is a regenerative agriculture practitioner and Master's student in Agribusiness at Massey University. Through worm.ae, he has worked with farms, schools, community groups, and businesses to transform organic waste into valuable compost using aerobic composting and vermicomposting. His experience includes developing circular economy solutions for large-scale indoor farms and desert climate, alongside supporting households through workshops and practical education.

www.worm.ae

@worm.uae

Textile Rescue

Aotearoa has no real system for recovering worn-out textiles. Textile Rescue is having a go at building one from Palmerston North, catching things at the point they'd otherwise be binned and finding each piece its best next use. Some pathways are running, others need working out, but we are on the way. Come and see where we're up to — and where you might fit. Whiria te tāngata.

www.facebook.com/textilerescue.nz

www.facebook.com/groups/greentea.nz/

textilerescue.nz

Kelly Dombroski

What is the point of a circular economy? Rethinking our relationship to waste. 

Kelly Dombroski is a Professor of Geography at Massey University and a long-time advocate for community-led environmental and wellbeing initiatives. Her work explores how local action, collaboration, and creative approaches can support place-based and circular economies. Her work helps amplify what communities are already doing to imagine and build flourishing futures that are equitable, sustainable, and connected in place.

Palmerston North Repair Cafe

The Palmerston North Repair Café hosts free monthly pop up events where locals can bring along broken or damaged household items to be repaired by skilled volunteer fixers.

The Repair Café aims to make repair, repurposing, and recycling more accessible while helping people develop practical skills and confidence to extend the life of their belongings. By keeping items in use for longer, the initiative reduces waste, strengthens community connections, and builds a more resilient city.

Supported by Environment Network Manawatū, Supergrans, Menzshed and PNCC.