The Packaging Forum’s recent grant funding round called on applications for projects which would tackle litter reduction in New Zealand. It attracted some excellent applications, with four projects being awarded a total of $29,500 in funding.
Trailer to Help Keep it Green and Clean
Promoting litter reduction and encouraging reuse over single-use goes hand-in-hand, with Envirohub Marlborough’s washable service ware trailer hitting both marks.
The organisation was awarded a $10,000 grant to upgrade their equipment with a wash trailer for washable, reusable service ware at public events in and around Picton.
The Envirohub, which works with the local community to enhance sustainability practices in and around the town, currently offers the washable service with makeshift equipment. However, the lack of infrastructure meant it was not streamlined.
A trailer will not only greatly improve the efficiency of the service but provide an opportunity for increased awareness and public engagement.
Keeping Compostables and Recyclables Out of Landfill
The Te Pokapu Tiaki Taiao o Te Tai Tokerau Trust (Far North Environment Centre), based in Kaitaia, applied for funding to help with a project which will divert compostable and recyclable material from landfill at the local market.
The Centre’s recent recycling bin trial at the markets found a strong zero-waste contingent, with most stalls using compostable or recyclable packaging. It also found many members of the public were keen to reduce waste going to landfill. However, a lack of infrastructure meant compostable or recyclable material was going to landfill.
A grant of $9,520 from The Packaging Forum will fund recycling and compost bins as well as a paid staff member at the market to educate the public for six months.
The Trust and its environment centre are central to a growing network of Northlanders working to improve their environmental impact.
Punching a Hole in the Cardboard Problem
Sustainability Trust in Wellington has developed a simple but innovative local use for post-consumer cardboard by turning it into packing material or a compost additive.
The Forum awarded a grant of $5,000 for the Wellington-based Trust to commission a cardboard perforator. The result of the perforating process is a recyclable material that can be used to package breakable items sold by the Trust’s EcoShop, as well as an additive for the community compost hub.
The commercial viability of recycled cardboard has suffered because of China’s National Sword and similar overseas policies, with the Forum welcoming projects for alternative, local uses.
The Trust’s mission is to create warm, dry, healthy homes and help reduce people’s impact on the environment.
Project to Wash Away Single-use Service Ware
Public events can create a large amount of single-use waste from service ware, with Res.Awesome in Dunedin having initiated a project which will see a portable wash station rolled out for reusable service ware.
The Forum awarded $5,000 to the project, which will not only reduce since-use service ware waste at events but influence public behaviour change in terms of reuse over single-use.
The service will provide vendors with reusable plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery to serve patrons. These can then be returned to a central wash truck where patrons can clean their service ware before it is sanitised.
Res.Awesome works towards creative, connected, and innovative resource recovery in Dunedin City. They work to support businesses, schools, and communities to reduce their waste through workshops, waste auditing, and zero waste management as well as creating a Dunedin Resource Recovery database.
