That’s the key finding of a recent report by Reuse Aotearoa, commissioned by Wellington City Council. It combines a desktop study with 13 interviews from the city’s RSS sector.
Reuse, Repair & Share in Wellington identifies 456 initiatives. They’re well used, but not evenly distributed. The report puts this down to two key factors:
- Financial viability
- Difficulties accessing appropriate premises and infrastructure
Improved data capture would help. So too would better collaboration between local authorities, operators and mana whenua. There’s a need for more positive stories about the shift from ‘buying new and binning’. And there’s not enough relevant training to turn jobs in the sector into careers.
“For some activities, particularly repair, there’s a shortage of appropriately skilled and qualified jobseekers,” the report says. “The lack of culturally appropriate industry training programmes and RRS initiatives may also compound Māori underrepresentation.”
The report’s recommendations include:
- Supporting RRS growth in priority areas
- Mobile or touring RRS events, a large showcase or festival
- Supporting RRS initiatives through public procurement and targeted grants and subsidies. This could include vouchers and coupons for residents for RRS services
- Making under-utilised commercial or council-owned spaces available for RRS purpose
- developing appropriate vocational training, including kaupapa-led programmes
