Smartpackaging workshops will be conducted by Wanaka Wastebusters in Wanaka, Dunedin and other centres over the next two months, as part of a new advice service the charitable organisation is running as part of the Unpackit Awards.
The initiative follows the release of 2010 statistics on Monday by the Packaging Council, showing each New Zealander throws out 125kg of packaging waste and paper every year, and recycles 161kg.
Smartpackaging spokeswoman Sophie Ward, of Wanaka, said New Zealanders "could do better than that".
"Businesses have a vested interest in safeguarding New Zealand's clean, green reputation, and part of that is tackling the amount of waste we're sending to landfill," she said.
Smartpackaging advice would help businesses make smart packaging choices.
"Smart packaging means choosing minimal packaging. Businesses should be choosing packaging which can easily be reused, composted or recycled at the end of its life."
Smartpackaging Advice has been set up by Wanaka Wastebusters with funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund and runs alongside the Unpackit Packaging Awards, which were also initiated by Wanaka Wastebusters.
A website - www.smartpackaging.org.nz - has been launched and workshops will be held in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. The dates are yet to be announced.
