New centre for Chinese community fosters waste minimisation

After operating CCET from founder Estella Lee's home for over 20 years, the organisation has secured a dedicated community education centre as a positive outcome of the community waste team's strategic contractual partnership and community empowerment.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially launched the Centre. The event was well attended by community leaders and public officials, including New Zealand MP Carlos Cheung, Albert-Eden Local Board member Christina, and Auckland Council’s Community WasteWise Programme Manager Monisha Wylie-Kapoor. In their speeches, the three guests expressed strong support for the Centre, acknowledging its significant role in fostering environmental awareness and public education. They also expressed high hopes for the Centre’s long-term impact on promoting sustainability within the community.

Over 20 distinguished guests and 19 dedicated volunteers took part in the opening ceremony. Following the official ceremony, the Centre hosted a well-received Repair Café event. A team of 35 volunteer repair experts provided free repair services to community members, receiving more than 50 visitors. In total, 63 items were brought in for repair, with 51 successfully restored — a repair success rate of 80.95%. A total of 133.66 kilograms of items were collected on-site for repair, with 92.87 kilograms successfully repaired, demonstrating the environmental benefits of repair, extending the lifespan of products and reducing unnecessary landfill waste.

Chair of CCET Estella Lee stated, “Through the establishment of the CCET Centre, we hope to integrate the concept of sustainable living into the daily lives of every member of our community.” The founding of the CCET Centre marks a significant milestone in the Chinese community’s engagement with environmental action and the promotion of green living. Looking ahead, the Centre will continue to host a diverse range of sustainability-focused initiatives, contributing to a greener and more sustainable Auckland.