Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
A Christmas tree forest has been set up in Aotea Square.
In a unique twist,
all of the trees are made out of plastic bottles.
It's hoped this will encourage the public
to think about how to reuse and recycle
at an often wasteful time of year.
Pere Wihongi explains.
These were once rubbish to some
and now have become an attraction for Auckland.
The Christmas tree forest is in the heart of the city -
the trees' leaves are plastic
and recycling is the message.
More than 5000 plastic bottles have been recycled
to construct these 12 Christmas trees.
Their purpose is to raise awareness.
According to waste collection stats from Auckland City Council,
nearly 30% of rubbish that is thrown out during Christmas
isn't recycled.
And it's hoped that these trees will put a stop to that.
On December 21,
these trees will be taken down to be used elsewhere,
or to be recycled.
Pere Wihongi, Te Karere.