Save money and utilise your waste

For immediate release: Friday 4 September 2009 : Dunedin

Save money and utilise your waste

It’s a hot topic in this city! With eDay just around the corner and the Next Step – Waste as a Resource Workshop taking place on Saturday 19 September, take a look at these ten simple tips on how you can utilise your waste and save money at the same time.

1. Spring is in the air. Now is the time to start your own vege garden, composting and making your own fertiliser. You could save hundreds off your annual grocery bill, with up to $500 a year just on salad greens alone. With a packet of seed costing just $3, why not give it a go?

2. Reduce your green waste, start composting and reduce the need for commercial fertilisers and chemicals. To learn more about how you can compost effectively come along to a Dirt Doctor workshop near you. www.dirtdoctor.co.nz

3. Try worm farming. Kids love worms and they can learn about nature and the environment. You can make your own worm farm out of old tyres, books, bricks and newspapers and of course tiger worms.

4. Take your shopping trolley home. If you live in North Dunedin – shop at Gardens New World, ask for a take home trolley home instead of using plastic bags – Gardens New World collect the trolley from your home; great for students!

5. Don’t give the dog a bone! Throw your food scraps into a Bokashi Compost-Zing bucket. In just 4-6 weeks you can turn food into fertiliser, reducing the amount of rubbish you put out for kerbside collection. Buckets are available from the Dunedin City Council or visit www.bokashi.co.nz

6. Go along to a sustainable living course in your area to learn more about how you can save money and create a healthier lifestyle www.sustainableliving.org.nz

7. Make your own home cleaners using lemon juice, baking soda, white vinegar and cornstarch.

8. Find a use for items you normally recycle. North East Valley Normal School have created cool puppets using washing powder scoops with an artists in schools programme. Otago Boys High year 11 students are using materials from a number of local businesses including steel, plastics and metals for projects.

9. Re-use envelopes. You may have to buy labels but it will save the cost of buying new envelopes.

10. Save certain packaging containers, once you have found a friendly re-use for them such as air-tight sandwich containers, freezer food or take to pre-schools and schools.

If you have any innovative ideas for utilising waste as a resource, get involved in The Next Step - Waste as a Resource Workshop taking place on Saturday 19 September. Facilitated by Rod Oram, Global and Economic Commentator, the session aims to bring together science, policy and everyday living practices into a forum where ideas and future opportunities are explored, to move beyond recycling towards a more sustainable future.

Spaces are strictly limited; anyone interested in attending should contact Sue Clarke on director@scifest.org.nz For more information visit www.scifest.org.nz

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Media enquiries:

Merrin Bath +64 272 020 903 Merrin.bath@strategyfirst.co.nz

Background to The Next Step - Waste as a Resource Workshop

Since 1997, the New Zealand International Science Festival has developed, managed and produced a biennial New Zealand International Science Festival in Dunedin, with the first festival being held in 1998.

The workshop will be a dialogue style engagement, aiming to create an environment where thoughts, ideas and contributions can be made without bias or fear and to engage scientists, general public and policy makers such that all parties are able to participate and learn from the discussion. For a full list of speakers visit www.scifest.org.nz

Funding from the Ministry of Research Science and Technology has been made available to develop and administer the workshop by the New Zealand International Science Festival.

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