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Communities pull together to tackle national river pollution

Communities pull together to tackle national river pollution

Figures released last month by regional councils revealed that more than half of New Zealand’s rivers are unsafe to swim in. Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury and Northland were identified as the worst affected regions for river quality[1].

After successfully removing over 5,000 litres of rubbish from New Zealand beaches last year, Phoenix Organics is again partnering with Sustainable Coastlines to clean up some of New Zealand’s dirtiest rivers. The Love Project launched in 2014,aims to empower people to clean up waterways through riparian planting days.

“We know that 85% of our rivers aren’t fit for swimming after it rains,” says Sam Judd, co-founder of Sustainable Coastlines.

“Working with Phoenix Organics we’re helping communities to stop pollution at its source by setting up riparian planting events - these will help reduce pollutants entering rivers by re-establishing native vegetation.”

Yet while this tried and true method helps, Judd says: “We won’t solve problems caused in the past through old solutions. This project involves running training sessions to build the capacity of local kaitiaki (guardians) to use creativity, technology and practical solutions like organic products to develop their own solutions.”

Phoenix Organics hopes The Love Project will inspire their customers to make a real difference to New Zealand’s coastal areas.

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“We’ve been committed to sustainability since day one and believe New Zealand should continue to build on its clean green image through involving communities in projects like this,” says Steve Cook, Marketing Manager for Phoenix Organics.

“We’re also committed and proud to always use Organic Ingredients which are grown without the use of fungicides, insecticides or soluble fertilisers and so work in harmony with nature and have a minimal effect on the environment.”

The upcoming community planting days, held in Northland, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, Waikato and Nelson provide an opportunity for communities to get involved with the planting of over 7,500 native plants along polluted riverbanks.

To inspire more creative solutions the collaboration will partner with environmental artist, Martin Hill who will create a sculpture during the project. More details about this installation will be revealed to public in late July.

For further information on The Love Project or regional community planting days, visit: http://www.phoenixorganics.co.nz or www.sustainablecoastlines.org/events

What: The Love Project - Community Planting Days

Where/When:
2. Wellington – Owhiro Stream Tree Planting: Friday, June 26, 2015
3. Christchurch – Travis Wetland Tree Planting: Friday, July 31, 2015
4. Nelson – Corder Park Tree Planting: Friday, August 21st, 2015
5. Northland and Waikato during September, 2015

ENDS

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