Most of us have some level of recycling that we routinely follow. Some do the minimum of separating the Milk bottles from the main rubbish and some go to the full extreme of only buying product that is packaged in biodegradable containers or supplied in bulk.
In the window furnishing industry we are starting to do our bit.
Recycle
Here at Frazerhurst we now have access to fabrics from our forward-thinking suppliers made from recycled materials such as the ‘Encore’ recycled polyester range of Upholstery fabrics from Warwick and the ‘Benu Remix’ recycled wool range of drapery and upholstery by Christian Fischbacher from James Dunlop.
Hemptech have a recycling programme where their own cuttings and waste are sent to make recycled paper right here in Whangarei at the papermill.
Our own brand, Weathermaster®, has Aluminium Venetian Blinds that utilises up to 97% recycled material.
Reuse
The simple way to reuse your old window dressings is to repair if possible. Even a clean can sometimes be the refresh they need but if it really is time then send them off to your favourite charity shop. As an avid charity shopper my self my favourite motto is ‘one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.
Reduce
Buying local and reducing your ‘carbon footprint’ is the only real way to reduce in the context of the window dressings industry.
You are covered at Frazerhurst by choosing Weathermaster® as most of the product is made right here in New Zealand.
We are also privileged to have access to Hemptech a New Zealand fabric company that collaborates with New Zealand designers to create and print beautiful local themes such as the Flax pod design from Lynda Williams.
We here at Frazerhurst at 146 Lower Dent street have our own programme called Re-purpose. This is my personal favourite R!
All of our deleted hangers are turned into reusable shopping bags or given to local craft groups who make toiletry bags for Womens refuge or shopping bags given away at the markets. We also dabble in a bit of wall art for the showroom. When we give away off cuts and old hangers our customers often send us pictures of what they have created.
My personal favourite – curtain coats and dresses. I always get a comment or complement when I wear one.