A sporty recycling project is giving gear new life in Taranaki.

The REPLAY project, started by Manawatū mum of two Denise McLean in 2017,  is a community scheme that collects and redistributes new and used sports gear to kids and families who do not have easy access to it.Whether it be balls, boots, sticks or racquets more than 10,000 donated items have been distributed across Manawatū and Whanganui.

The project in Taranaki is being administered by Sport Taranaki and supported by Waste Management.The system is simple, with specially marked bins placed in easy to reach areas like sports hubs, schools or shops.

All donated goods are collected, sorted and cleaned then handed out in packs to those families who can make best use of them.

Sport Taranaki Play Advisor Laura Matthews says Replay has exciting potential to help more kids get active. All recycled gear is given out within the communities that donated it.

Families with kids often outgrow their sports gear, which then clutters the house or ends up in landfill, Laura says.

“A lack of gear can really hold some kids back. Replay is brilliant because it’s a community led project that gets the right gear to the people who will really benefit from it. Replay solves that issue for people, while making sure the gear is put to good use. It’s a win for the people and the environment too.”

Waste Management Regional Manager – Taranaki/Manawatū Peter Grennell said the scheme was a natural one for the company to support in Taranaki with the donation of 10 bins.

“We are keen to help the community recycle as much as possible in all different ways and we are happy to be part of such a great initiative.”