Ellerslie Flower Show asks visitors to recycle

14th November 2007
NEWS RELEASE

Ellerslie Flower Show asks visitors to “use the right bins” for recycling

Behind the scenes at the Ellerslie Flower Show it is not just about the spectacular flowers and landscapes, the show’s organisers are doing their bit to make 2007 the greenest year ever by encouraging the 75,000 people expected to visit over the next few days to use the recycling bins provided.

Sharon Jereb, Environment Manager for the Packaging Council said that this is the 3rd year that the packaged goods industry has worked with the Show’s organisers:

“In 2005, we introduced recycling to the Flower Show Company; last year we started working together early in the planning stages which led to dramatically better results. This year we are focusing on getting the recycling message to the visitors. As the biggest show of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the event attracts visitors from all over the world, many of whom expect to see comprehensive recycling systems in place.”

The initiative is part of the work of the Environmental Business Action Group (EBAG) which brings together industry, local councils and recycling operators under the framework of the voluntary Packaging Accord.

Ms Jereb says that they are proud to be involved with Ellerslie Flower Show for the 3rd year running:

“The organisers have shown great leadership in proactively looking beyond recycling to the whole waste services at the Show. Drawing on past experience they have been able to determine exactly what waste is generated resulting in the installation of waste and recycling bins which better fit their needs. This means in turn a reduction in truck movements and hence the carbon footprint around the waste services.”

“The recycling wheelie bins are provided by Waste Management and we have provided “use the right bin’ flags to sit along side the recycling bins to emphasize to visitors that they need to think about what goes where. When eco-awareness becomes the normal practise these habits transform our workplaces, our homes and the communities we live in. The Ellerslie Flower Show epitomises our clean green image”.

“Considering the environmental impact of events is no longer a ‘nice to do’ it is becoming an essential part of the planning process. Major events and conferences are estimated to contribute in excess of NZ$0.5billion to the New Zealand economy and show case the country to participants and visitors from around the world.”

The Packaging Council is working with the Ministry for the Environment and Crown Research Institutes such as Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research to provide organisers with a comprehensive package which will help them in their drive towards “carbon neutrality.

Note to editors:

The Environmental Business Action Group was formed in 2004 as a sector group under the Packaging Accord. The group consists of representatives from Alto Plastics, Coca-Cola, Fonterra, Foodstuffs, Frucor, Visy, Packaging Council, Local Government NZ, New Zealand Juice & Beverage Association, Plastics NZ, RONZ, WasteMINZ. The main objectives of the group are to drive progress in the areas of event recycling, public place recycling and business in house waste minimisation.

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