Seniors encouraged to join sewing bee to reduce pollution

2 May 2017

COTA NT is encouraging the community to get involved in the local Boomerang Bags initiative set up by the Eco-Warriors at Parap Primary School by hosting the first workshop for ‘senior sewers’ at Spillett House on Friday 5 May (10.30am start).

Boomerang Bags is a community-driven initiative tackling plastic pollution at the grassroots level.

Keeping re-usable bags in the house, car and handbag can help reduce a ‘plastic footprint’ but Boomerang Bags are designed to be there for when you forget your own.  Nearly 63,000 Boomerang Bags have been made in Australia to date replacing an estimated 43.9 million plastic bags, and over 235 Boomerang Bags Communities are underway.

Sewers of all ages across Australia are getting together to make re-usable ‘Boomerang Bags’ using recycled materials as a means to replace plastic bags. By joining the COTA sewing bee in Darwin, you meet like-minded people, up-cycle materials, work towards shifting society’s throw away mentality to a more sustainable revolution of re-use – and get a cuppa and a natter as you do it.

The driving force behind Boomerang Bags Parap Darwin is Tracey Bradley, Molly Sinclair and a dedicated group of sewers who have already made over 400 bags to support the Parap Primary School Eco Warriors program. The bags – handily and specifically sized for a ‘quick shop’ and drink bottle – are available as ‘borrow and bring back’ bags available in most Parap shops and Greenies in Rapid Creek. ‘Bought to support’ bags ($8.50 each) will also be available in some of these outlets. The bags you help make at the COTA group will help to increase the number of fabric re-useable bags circulating in the community.

All senior sewers are welcome to come along to the first sewing bee hosted by COTA – most equipment is provided. However, the group urgently need more working sewing machines to keep the supply of boomerang bags going. If you have a sewing machine that is not used any more, please think about bringing it in. Boomerang Bag sewers can pick up donations of sewing machines. The age of the machine does not matter, but it does need to be in working condition.

Stephanie Kendall, Events & Communications Manager COTA NT

Tags: Seniors Voice