The Breadtags for Wheelchairs organisation has found a silver lining to the COVID-19 restrictions that have affected the way the organisation works.

Until recently the organisation has collected the plastic tags commonly found on bread bags and sent them to South Africa with travellers where they were turned into seedling trays and sold, and the profits used to purchase wheelchairs for people in need in South Africa.

The organisation has been well supported in Wanaka since its local launch in February last year, facilitated by Lindsey Schofield, and its first shipment of 200kg worth of breadtags was collected by August.

There are more than 100 other locations in New Zealand collecting breadtags too.

But with COVID-19 meaning travellers cannot deliver the breadtags, the organisation has found a new way to help raise funds for the wheelchairs - and it’s local and eco-friendly too.

National volunteer coordinator Kelly Vollenhoven has secured interest from several plastic designers and manufacturers.

For Wanaka collectors, and the rest of the South Island, their breadtags will now be sent to Christchurch-based designer Michael Fox of Objets D’Fox (ODF).

By saving your breadtags you can help contribute to this initiative. 

“We are elated to announce a partnership with ODF,” Breadtags for Wheelchairs NZ said in a statement.

Michael designed and built his own machinery, and designs and produces products made from recycled plastic.

“ODF's homepage features whale tail earrings that Michael made from your breadtags. Fifty per cent of the sale price of every pair sold will go to Breadtags for Wheelchairs,” the organisation said.

This means the tags now must be sorted by shape, colour and size and collectors are asked to do this before they drop the tags off. 

For people who would like to start collecting, the drop-off point for Wanaka is at Radio Wanaka, 9 Cliff Wilson Street. Tags can be dropped off any time between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Learn more here.

PHOTOS: Supplied