A zero Waste Events initiative introduced by the Queenstown Lakes District Council earlier this year has already proved successful with local event managers.
QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said the Zero Waste Events toolkit aimed to help event managers design a waste management plan for their events, with tips and helpful ideas on how to hold a successful "zero waste event".
"We are lucky to live in an area with such outstanding natural beauty and part of that is playing host to a range of local, national and international events," Mr Borowy said.
"These events are an important part of the Lakes District culture. Our goal is to really minimise the effect they could have on the unique environment that is special to everyone who lives here."
Two events which had adopted the zero waste philosophy this year had already shown pleasing results.
Leading the way was Rippon 2008 at Wanaka, which achieved an 85% waste diversion rate.
Rippon08 director Lynne Christie said the organisers had aimed to achieve 80%, so they were "really stoked" with the end result.
American Express Queenstown Winter Festival director Sally Feinerman said the requirement for stallholders to manage their own waste responsibly, which included use of approved compostable or recyclable packaging, resulted in a 72% diversion of waste from landfill.
Mr Borowy said a key component of the initiative was the zero waste event form, which would become part of an events resource consent or contract with the council.
"The completed form will act as the waste management plan for the event and its a good way for us to educate event managers and in turn event-goers about the importance of minimising waste," he said.
• The zero waste toolkit is available from website www.qldc.govt.nz.
