Woodend Community Bags

What’s it all about?

Inspired by the Boomerang Bag initiative, Woodend Community Bags have taken the town by storm in a positive step towards making Woodend plastic bag free. Volunteers from all walks of life get together at the Woodend Neighbourhood House to make reusable Woodend Community Bags from recycled materials.

Once the bags are made, they are dropped off at various outlets in Woodend for sale including the Woodend Neighbourhood House, Woodend Information Centre, Endangered, Woodend Produce Store, Allure hairdressers, Plant Nursery and the Woodend Newsagency, The group also hold a regular stall at the monthly Woodend Farmer’s market.

The response from the Woodend community has been resoundingly positive since 2017 as we work towards a plastic free town. We are grateful and excited to see local businesses taking a stand to go plastic free as well. Australians use almost four billion plastic shopping bags every year, and they take as long as 1000 years to disintegrate. Woodend Community Bags is an important first step in creating a more sustainable future, one needle and thread at a time!

The Woodend Community Bags are about starting a conversation. We want people to have a voice and the opportunity to make a positive change in our community.

There are many ways to be involved and sewing skills aren’t necessary! Over a cuppa and a chat we have learned how to sew, cut, pin, bundle, and iron.

You can also find our more information on the Woodend Community Bags Facebook page.

How can I get involved?

Sewing bees take place weekly at the Woodend Neighbourhood House in the Undercroft, 9am-12.30pm on Thursdays. Drop-in at any time – no sewing skills required!