Tea and Topics: Mangere Bridge Library 28 May 2014

By Justine Skilling – Friends storywriter

Thanks to the librarians at the Mangere Bridge Library, I had an opportunity to share the Mangere Bridge WasteWise message with around 20 people at the monthly ‘Tea and Topics’ last week. Our waste timeline and a selection of books on composting, zero waste living, gardening and upcycled crafts were on display for the month prior to the talk, generating interest among library-goers.

I introduced our Friends group, highlighting our primary vision to link local families with our natural resources, in particular the Farm and harbour foreshore area.  I described some of the family fun activities we hosted prior to beginning our adventures with waste, including a farm treasure hunt, midwinter moonlight lantern walk and assistance with Goodbye Godwits events.

When the conversation turned to “waste”, I talked about our group’s passion for creating a “WasteWise, caring community”. We educate people on how to go about reducing the rubbish we produce in our households, schools, organisations and businesses.  I reviewed our group’s role in waste reduction education and practice so far, including supervising bin stations at community events and supporting efforts led by Carol-Anne Armitage to reduce food waste in our local cafes.

Many asked questions and expressed concerns about the Council’s plan to make changes to our kerbside rubbish collection in 2015. Fortunately, the Library has arranged for a Council representative to address the issue at a Tea and Topics later in the year.

I asked the group for their ideas on what makes Mangere Bridge a “WasteWise, caring community” and how we can enhance this vision.  People offered practical and inspiring suggestions, including hanging a banner over our main street that declares our vision, having easily accessible information about what to do with e-waste and batteries, and developing a community recycling facility.  People were very keen to have a collection point for soft plastics in the village.

The morning generated considerable discussion and energy on the topic of waste in our community.  Participant Alf McMinn emailed after the event to say that he “really learned a lot. In fact it also made me feel a tad guilty. May need to change some habits-of-a-lifetime”.  

Librarian and ‘Tea and Topics’ organiser, Ann Hancock, reported that the morning “triggered awareness” about rubbish and recycling and “got people’s brains ticking over”.  It was wonderful to see such a diverse group of people, both locals and visitors, utilising the opportunity provided by our library for lively discussion and debate about relevant and important issues such as this one. The librarians were incredibly welcoming and supportive, and it was a pleasure to be a part of what they’re doing in our community. In Mangere Bridge our library is a community hub and our librarians are supportive of initiatives that, like ours, benefit our children, families, and environment.