Reducing waste at events

So why reduce waste at events? As well as showing the environment matters, the feedback from visitors and event organisers has been overwhelmingly positive where good waste minimisation is built into the event.

There are many ways to start your journey towards a zero waste event, and solutions can include:

• Diverting food waste and compostable dishes, etc, to a compost service provider (always check beforehand which products/brands local compost service providers will accept)
• Designing waste out of your event by eliminating single-use and extra packaging at the early planning stage.
• Consider using reusable items, and solutions such as wash stations on-site.

To help you with your planning we have created some easy-to-use guides:

• Waste plan (1.5MB PDF)
• Making Reuse easy (228KB PDF)
• Guide for Volunteers (38KB PDF)

We also have a quick and easy plan if you’re organising a small event like a street party or community barbecue: Rethinking Waste At Neighbourhood And Community Events (777KB PDF).

Download Bring Your Own Cup or Bring Your Own Reusables posters (161KB PDF), Bring Your Own Plates, Cups, Cutlery Poster (81KB PDF) or contact rethinkwaste@ncc.govt.nz if you would like a printed copy.

Recycling

Understanding what can or cannot be recycled is also important for event organisers. Check which plastics can be recycled.

You can download signage for bins below:

• Recycle – Hangarua (plastic bottles and cans, no number symbols) (30KB PDF)
• Recycle – Hangarua (plastic bottles and cans with numbers) (30KB PDF)
• Recycle – paper and cardboard (25KB PDF)
• Glass – Koata (27KB PDF)
• Compost – Wairākau (food scraps, paper plates, paper serviettes, wooden cutlery) (27KB PDF)
• Compost – Wairākau (26KB PDF)
• Compostable Plastics (27KB PDF)
• Industrial Compost – Kapu whakawairākau (25KB PDF)
• Coffee cups and lids only (24KB PDF)
• Landfill – Ruapara (26KB PDF)
• Sign for closed bins (28KB PDF)

For further assistance or information email rethinkwaste@ncc.govt.nz