"Waste champions" are being invited to enter the 2009 Queenstown Lakes District Council Zero Waste Awards, council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said.
"We can't wait to find out what our community has been up to in the last year. With such an ongoing and heightened awareness of our environment, we are expecting some pretty interesting and varied entries," Mr Borowy said.
The awards, which offer $2500 in incentive prize-money, have four categories.
"I am delighted to confirm that QLDC will put up a cash prize of $1000 for the 'making it happen' award. This is a huge incentive for someone wanting to start out on a zero waste initiative or project over the next year," Mr Borowy said.
Other categories are: the school award, sponsored by Wanaka Wastebusters, with a $500 prize; the business award, also open to community groups, sponsored by the YHA New Zealand, with a $500 prize; and the individual award, sponsored by Coronet Peak, with a prize of $500.
"We are looking for efforts towards reducing, reusing or recycling waste, either at home, at work or in the community,"Mr Borowy said.
Entry forms are available at council offices or can be downloaded from the council website www.qldc.govt.nz
Entries close at 4pm on Friday, June 19.
