Nelson Tasman Textile ResQ Collective

Nelson Tasman Textile ResQ Collective formed in mid-2023 through our shared concerns about textile waste.

In New Zealand this is a staggering 220 tonnes annually or about 45 kilos per person, and globally the fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of emissions. We know this has to change.

Our aim is to increase community awareness of this problem, and markedly reduce the amount of waste locally.

Our region has more than thirty opshops and other initiatives to distribute second-hand clothing. Buying and donating second-hand is a great start, but it may surprise you to know that a shockingly small proportion of the massive volume donated stays out of the rubbish dump. Donated items get dumped because they are old and tired, need a wash, or need repairs. A repair may be as simple as missing buttons. Good quality fabric remnants, linens, and curtains are donated, but end up discarded because people lack time to make something with them.

We can do something about this. Following the incredibly successful example of Intercept Fabric Rescue Group of Whangarei, we have partnered with Nelson Tasman Hospice Opshops. We take items that are unsuitable for sale, and transform them into saleable ones.

This process is immensely positive, creative and social. Like-minded people of different backgrounds, ages and skills come together to connect, laugh, learn from and  inspire each other while we rescue textiles.

Hospice benefits from increased revenue and reduced disposal fees. We help them deliver on their slogan of “Sustainable Shopping”.

Intercept and the Whangarei Salvation Army Opshop has the lowest amount of textile waste in the country (only 2-3% of donations going to landfill). Together we hope to replicate their success.

Intercept shares their example because they want to encourage groups all over New Zealand in this. Here is the link to their manual that we use for guidance and inspiration.

We have come a long way in a short space of time. We have

• a dedicated steering group.
• a solid group of active volunteers that work from home or come to our weekly workshops
• a larger group of interested members receiving email updates and quarterly newsletters
• An impressive inventory of repaired, upcycled and remade saleable goods ready for launch.
• Facilities, materials, equipment and some funding
• Professional structures, plans and documents
• Website and social media under development

We would love you to join us. We have a myriad volunteer roles available: from the simple to the creative, from working with textiles to admin and marketing, from working at home to working with others, from the casual to the committed.