A steady stream of cars carrying e-waste drove down through the green paddocks to the Ambury Riding Centre carpark. Hi-vis clad helpers were there to quickly unload each car or trailer and sort the waste. People gave a quick hello and thanks to the Friends of the Farm (FOF) helpers, then went back up the drive, slowing to watch the horses peacefully grazing.

Easy, efficient and free ! One local wheeled his wheelbarrow full of electrical items down the hill, while a family on bikes cycled down with a rice cooker, and a milk shake machine. A young church goer brought along items the church intended to throw out until he rescued them for the E-waste collection. People were happy to give a koha towards the cost of the day, and around $500 was collected. Some of this koha helps FOF provide a tasty lunch for the Echo-Tech workers, displaying manaakitanga as part of their ethical sustainability measures.

FOF had organised helpers to collect items from people who were unable to bring it themselves, and this free service was well used “It’s wonderful to get my old fridge/freezer out of my carport” said local Maureen. “I’ll have so much more space and its heartening to know it will be recycled instead of going to the tip. It wouldn’t fit in my little car and its too heavy for me. It needed those 2 strong guys to lift it onto their trailer ”
Thanks to Echo-Tech for their help and support making this another successful community focused, recycling event for Friends of the Farm.

More reading…
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