Phoenix & LegaSea

Partnership

Working Towards a Circular Economy

Our commitment to sustainability goes far beyond managing waste. At the core of Phoenix Recycling Group, we believe in creating value from resources that would otherwise go to waste. It is this north star that drove us to our partnership with LegaSea, a non-profit organisation. Together, we are working to protect New Zealand’s precious coastal fisheries while simultaneously promoting responsible recycling practices through innovative initiatives like Cans for Kai.

LEGASEA’S
MISSIOn

LegaSea is a non-profit organisation on a mission to restore New Zealand's coastal fisheries. Its work is driven by the need to change destructive fishing practices, improve fish stock management, and ensure that future generations can enjoy fishing just as much as we do now. When Phoenix learned about LegaSea's efforts, it became clear that our shared values of sustainability and conservation could create something truly impactful.

LegaSea’s Fish Care programme teaches recreational fishers how to minimise their environmental impact. However, it faced a significant challenge: much of the fish caught in New Zealand waters was being wasted. Only about 36% was used for food, and the rest, including heads and frames, was discarded.

LegaSea's solution was simple yet effective: instead of wasting these valuable parts of the fish, why not share them with those who need them? This idea led to the creation of The Kai Ika Project, which collects fish heads and frames from Auckland's fishing communities and distributes them to communities in need. However, the project quickly outgrew its initial setup, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the demand for food assistance skyrocketed.

It was at this point Phoenix stepped in. We saw an opportunity to support LegaSea's work by leveraging our expertise in resource recovery and recycling to create a new initiative that would fund The Kai Ika Project while promoting environmental stewardship. The result was Cans for Kai.

Cans for Kai aluminium can recycling collection cage

WHAT IS
CANS FOR KAI?

Cans for Kai is an innovative recycling programme that turns waste into a valuable resource. Phoenix pays LegaSea for every kilo of aluminium cans collected, and these funds go directly to supporting The Kai Ika Project. The concept is simple: one person’s waste becomes another person’s treasure, and in the process, we help feed those in need while reducing the environmental impact of aluminium production.

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and recycling it requires 95% less energy than producing new aluminium from raw materials. By recycling aluminium cans through Cans for Kai, we are not only reducing the need for new aluminium mining but also significantly lowering carbon emissions. For every tonne of aluminium recycled, we reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 16 tonnes, making Cans for Kai a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

A Word from
Sam Woolford,
LegaSea’s CEO

Sam Woolford, the Programme Lead at LegaSea, is passionate about the impact that Cans for Kai is having on both the environment and the community. Reflecting on the partnership, Sam says:

“We were talking with the owners of Phoenix and somehow, we stumbled onto this idea of Cans for Kai. We've taken the ethos of maximum utilisation, where we use all parts of the fish and extend it to aluminium cans and recycling.”

The programme has been a game-changer for LegaSea, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living. Sam explains:

“Covid really affected us. The demand just went through the roof! We went from about 250 kilos of fish a week to 1,250 kilos.”

This sudden increase in demand put a strain on LegaSea's resources, but with the support of Phoenix, The Kai Ika Project was able to scale up to meet the need.

“Phoenix is giving us a revenue stream, a platform, and opportunities. We couldn't pay the bills without Phoenix. They are actually the ones that get us here. Partners like Phoenix facilitate everything we do, allowing us to continue and expand our mission.”

Expanding
Our Impact

With a lofty goal of expanding Cans for Kai from a local Auckland initiative to a programme with national reach, there’s a long road ahead, but progress is being made! Kai Ika and Cans for Kai recently expanded to Wellington.

In fact, the Wellington programme has seen tremendous growth, with the local community collecting twice the volume of cans as Auckland. This success is a testament to Wellingtonians’ strong community spirit and commitment to recycling and helping those in need.

One of the unique aspects of Cans for Kai is its regional focus. Cans collected in a particular area directly support that community's Kai Ika Project, creating a local loop of resource recovery and food distribution. This regional approach not only fosters community engagement but also ensures that the benefits of the programme are felt locally.

The programme’s success relies on community involvement, with volunteers and local businesses playing a critical role in collecting and delivering cans to Phoenix facilities. As the programme expands, Cans for Kai is constantly seeking new partners and locations to set up collection points, making it easier for more New Zealanders to get involved.

BUILDING A
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY

At Phoenix, we are proud to be part of building New Zealand’s circular economy, where waste is minimised and resources are continually reused. Our partnership with LegaSea and the Cans for Kai initiative are prime examples of how businesses and non-profits can collaborate to create sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

Through Cans for Kai, we are not only supporting the vital work of LegaSea but also contributing to a broader movement towards responsible resource management.

By recycling aluminium cans, we are helping to reduce the environmental impact of waste while funding a project that provides food security for vulnerable communities. It’s a win-win situation that aligns perfectly with the idea of circular economy.

HOW YOU
CAN GET
INVOLVED

The success of Cans for Kai depends on the collective efforts of individuals, businesses, and communities across New Zealand. Whether you’re a local business looking to set up a collection point or a resident wanting to contribute your cans, there are many ways to get involved.

You can drop off your aluminium cans at one of Cans for Kai’s designated collection points, or if you’re a business, partner with them to host a collection cage. By doing so, you’ll support your local community while helping to reduce carbon emissions and promote recycling.

To learn more, find your nearest collection point, or enquire about setting up a collection cage, visit Kai Ika’s website or contact Cans for Kai directly. Together, we can make a difference, one can at a time.