By Liz Wingard In 3½ years, volunteers have upcycled fabric to donate over 25,000 shopping and 15,000 produce bags to Kingston supermarkets and retail outlets. Over 10,000 volunteer hours have been dedicated to the process each Monday 10am-4pm, plus 4 machinists each contribute an additional 16-plus hours per week from home. A core group of 12 includes three nonagenarians and two octogenarians, visiting helpers periodically attend, sewists work from home, while others complete “homework”, all contributing to a well-oiled production line. The inclusive group embraces a diverse range of ages and abilities, with tasks adapted and allocated depending on capabilities and preferences, each contributing as little or as much as suits the individual. Rescuing resources from leftovers, scraps and pre-loved fabric reduces the environmental impact of materials otherwise destined for landfill. Indicative of shifting attitudes towards sustainability, community requisitions have been fulfilled for library bags, hospital bereavement bags, wildlife sanctuary […]








