Style: October 04, 2017

64 STYLE | wellbeing
HEALTHIER
HABITS
Helen Rupp is asking
people to ditch plastic
produce bags in favour
of a more sustainable
alternative. Within 10
years, the new habit just
might save the use of seven
million plastic bags.
Founder of company The Rubbish
Whisperer, Helen Rupp, is offering
New Zealand schools, sports clubs
and organisations a healthier and more
environmentally friendly fundraising alternative
to selling chocolate bars with her reusable
produce bags.
Canterbury’s Southbridge Primary School
was one of the first to team up with The
Rubbish Whisperer to sell the brightly
coloured reusable produce bags to raise
money for school projects. Since then, more
nationwide schools have come on board.
The reusable produce bags are handmade
in Christchurch and are designed as a
lightweight and convenient option to take to
the supermarket and fill with fruit and veges
to place directly into your trolley, take through
checkout and then store in your fridge or
panty at home.
“We’ve made them with durability and
longevity in mind. I still have the first bags I
made six years ago!” Helen said.
The fundraising alternative is both healthconscious
and environmentally friendly,
prompting children to think about better
eating choices, as well as their disposable
plastic habits and impact on the environment.
“This is as much about reinforcing the need
to stop promoting high-sugar chocolate snacks
as it is about protecting our environment,”
Helen enthused.
“While the national debate continues
around what Kiwi children are eating and
drinking, and how their sugar intake is causing
dental decay and obesity, it’s surprising schools
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