Sustainable Living
Find out about sustainable living events, activities, and resources at libraries.
Featured
The Great Library Seed and Plant Swap
Every year in September Christchurch City Libraries hosts the Great Library Seed and Plant Swap. Find out where and when you can swap.
Jack’s got it all sewn up: Sustainable sewing at Tūranga
Outdoor enthusiast Jack Kerr has found a sustainable way to get the things he needs – by making them himself at Tūranga.
Change for the better: Plastic Free July
Find out how to do your bit in the global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
Sustainable spring events
sustainable spring events
The Great Stash Swap, part of a series
Bring along your unwanted fabric, haberdashery, buttons, wool, lace, trims, paints, brushes, zips ... then choose what you want to take.
Sustainable Spring Clothing Swap!
Sep 12th | 11:00am - 3:00pm
Drop off your pre-loved clothing at Matatiki Hornby Centre or Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre ahead of our free swap event.
Repair, Revive & Rewear: Clothing Repair & Visible Mending
Sep 17th | 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Got a favourite item that's torn, worn, or in need of a little TLC? Join us for a hands-on clothing repair and visible mending session.
Crafting for Wellbeing: DIY Beeswax Food Wrap (morning)
Sep 19th | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Learn how to make a beeswax food wrap. These are a great sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, $5.85 including booking fee.
The Great Stash Swap
Sep 19th | 11:00am - 2:00pm
Bring your unwanted fabric, haberdashery, buttons, wool, lace, trims, paints, brushes, zips etc then choose what you want to take away.
Crafting for Wellbeing: DIY Beeswax Food Wrap (afternoon)
Sep 19th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Learn how to make a beeswax food wrap. These are a great sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, $5.85 including booking fee.
Sketch @ Tūranga - Sustainable watercolours, part of a series
Experiment creatively with a unique palette of natural materials - tea, coffee, charcoal and shellac.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - A Waste of Time - 5-12 years, part of a series
Sep 29th | 9:30am - 10:30am
Chris Duggan from Learning Through Action and find out about recycling, waste minimisation. Learn practical knowledge.
New Brighton - Papermaking and Seed Bombs FULLY BOOKED
Sep 29th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Have you ever made paper before? Join us for this hands-on recycled papermaking and seed bomb workshop.
Cultivate with Richard Till and Dan Rutherford
Sep 29th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Landscape designer Dan Rutherford joins Richard Till for a hands-on workshop on growing herbs, veges and more in compact urban spaces.
New Brighton - A Waste of Time - 5-12 years, part of a series
Oct 1st | 9:30am - 10:30am
Join Chris Duggan from Learning Through Action. Find out about recycling, waste minimisation & where household waste goes after collection.
Sustainability T-shirt Workshop - 6-14 years
Oct 2nd | 10:00am - 11:30am
Create a design to promote an eco-friendly message 'protecting nature & animals, keeping our environment clean & caring for our planet!'
The Great Stash Swap
Oct 4th | 11:00am - 1:00pm
Bring your unwanted fabric, haberdashery, buttons, wool, lace, trims, paints, brushes, zips etc then choose what you want to take away.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - DIY Zipper Pouch - 12-18 years
Oct 7th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
As part of Sustainable Spring, create your own unique zipper pouch using leftover fabrics.
Community Energy - Local Examples | Speaker Series @ Tūranga
Oct 8th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Curious about Community Energy? Come along and listen to members of the Canterbury Energy Wellbeing Collective share their experiences.
Crafting for Wellbeing - Sashiko mending, part of a series
Drop in, relax and enjoy some 'me' time as you explore a new craft every month. Learn basic Sashiko stitches while making your own coaster.
Featured
Craft snippets: Furoshiki with Ayumi Hirata
Report back from a Craft Snippets session with Ayumi Hirata discussing the history and benefits of furoshiki, Japanese fabric gift wrapping.
Make your money go further: Mending
Make use of library resources and extend the life of your clothing for little to no cost!
Craft snippets: Furoshiki with Ayumi Hirata
Report back from a Craft Snippets session with Ayumi Hirata discussing the history and benefits of furoshiki, Japanese fabric gift wrapping.
Make your money go further: Mending
Make use of library resources and extend the life of your clothing for little to no cost!
Get the latest sustainable living news from the library
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Pick Sustainable Living from our newsletter options under Programs.
Sustainability resources
Find sustainable living eResources, books, and eBooks in our collection.
Sustainability Resources
BWB Critical Issues Collection
A deep analysis of New Zealand's big issues, social, environmental and political.
Environmental Studies: Gale in Context
Understand environmental issues that affect people globally through topic overviews, journals, news, and multimedia content.
GreenFile
Research the effects of humans on the environment. Use GreenFile now Find out about GreenFile
Non-fiction - Sustainable Living
Looking for ways to help save the planet? Learn how to be more self-sufficient, less wasteful and a true eco warrior.
Non-fiction - Climate and environmental change
Read about the passionate work of environmental activists and what you can do to make a difference.
Change for the better: Plastic Free July
Find out how to do your bit in the global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
Sustainability in the face of Climate Change in the Pacific
Titles exploring the sustainability and climate change in the Pacific. Includes some children's titles.
Non-fiction - Sustainable Living
Looking for ways to help save the planet? Learn how to be more self-sufficient, less wasteful and a true eco warrior.
Non-fiction - Climate and environmental change
Read about the passionate work of environmental activists and what you can do to make a difference.
Change for the better: Plastic Free July
Find out how to do your bit in the global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
Sustainability in the face of Climate Change in the Pacific
Titles exploring the sustainability and climate change in the Pacific. Includes some children's titles.
Sustainability Resources - Global
Sustainability Resources - Local
Rubbish and recycling resources
Do more to help with rubbish and recycling Christchurch City Council
Information, educational resources and downloads to let you help more with your rubbish, recycling and organics.
Rubbish and recycling guide, information and videos Christchurch City Council
Guides, booklets and videos about rubbish and recycling including a guide to reuse and recycling takeback schemes in Christchurch
Active transport
Ngā Kōrero Auaha Creative Stories: Anthea - Remix Plastic
Learn how Anthea Ibell uses 3D printer waste in her sustainable business, Remix Plastic.
Useful websites
- Brightr - Supports homeowners & builders get to more energy efficient solutions.
- CEA - Community Energy Action - Charitable trust that provides (subsidised) insulation or heating, other energy efficiency services and independent energy advice for residents in Canterbury and the West Coast.
- Community gardens in Christchurch - from CINCH (Community Information Christchurch)
- ECAN - Environment Canterbury Regional Council - Manages the use and quality of our natural resources, including water, land and air.
- EECA - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority - Te Tari Tiaki Pūngao
- Gen Less - Live more with less energy. The home of climate action and ideas
CINCH Community Information Christchurch
Visit the CINCH online directory to join and connect with community groups, organisations, activities, education, and hobbies.
Sustainable Library Cards
Learn about the Māori designs inspired by Matariki and philosophy behind our biodegradable library cards.