Lynn Green – Waste Champion

Lynn was one of the founders of Grey Lynn 2030 in 2008, Her passion has always been waste and she quickly started Grey Lynn Waste Away. Lynn has been involved in most of our waste initiatives. Lynn had researched into Zero Waste NGOs so we were lucky to have an expert like her.

So why did Lynn get involveed with Grey Lynn 2030?

I had felt disconnected from my community and was interested in learning about community groups and how to be an activist on waste reduction issues. With my background in sustainable horticulture and through communities and diverting food waste from landfill, I felt ready to participate in something meaningful and community minded. The slogan ‘Positive Vision – Practical Action’ suited me to a tee as I am a hands-on grass-roots person.

Lynn is a beekeeper and once our Grey Lynn Farmers Market opened, Lynn started selling her local Grey Lynn Honey. She was one of the first stall holders and she is still there. But now has moved on to her Waste Away stand.

Lynn’s Grey Lynn 2030 Waste Away group in 2008 attracted a strong passionate core of Wasters who for many years got together and “talked rubbish”. The founders of Waste Away – Katha Bauer, Angie Baur, Lisa Cohen-Smith, Marianne van der Haas, Winnie Lenihan, Colinda Rowe and Nadine Wakim, people who walk the talk! The Wasters  sorted batteries and bras, laughed and formed lasting friendships.

Lynn organised the first E-Waste Dayin the Woolworths carpark ,  stated collecting food waste from the local Revel Café, participated in the Demystifying Packaging project and road show, helped organise street Parties, Waste Away stands and collection at the Grey Lynn Park Festivals and the Uplift Bra collection spot at the Farmers Market.

Lynn still runs the Waste Away stand, weekly at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market. On the last Sunday of the month she is over the hall with Stitch in Time helping people repair their clothes.

The Waste Away Stall at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market has changed focus for 2025

Lynn is still selling the populare Rethink String Bags and Fantail Bags, which go to people who take them aall over the world.

The changeis reflecting Our Kind Community by supporting local community groups with the sale of a variety of
items lovingly made by volunteers:

Not Paper Towels,

Baby Change Bags, Change Mats,Merino Baby Wraps and Hats, Bibs, Tea Towels, Hankies, Silk Scarves and Crochet/knitted items.

Making Good are volunteers who make beautiful things for babies and  people in need are the group Woven Earth. The money from the sale of their items on the stall all goes back to them for purchasing more merino and supplies.

Charity Crochet-  Knit are a lovely group who make beanies for Orange Sky and clothing for Premmie babies.

All profit from Global Soap sales (handmade in Nelson) goes to your choice of community group:

Charity Crochet and  Knit, Grey Lynn Farmers Market, Kelmarna Community Farm, Making Good or Waste Away.

Swing by the stall, say hello to Lynn and share some kindness with a beautiful gift for a new baby or for a friend.