Waste Group

What is the Transition Nelson Waste Group aiming to do?
Have Zero waste to land fill. To develop a culture of low/zero waste through a range of initiatives such as our initial project BYOC (Bring Your Own Container).  We are in the process of defining our visions and goals for 2021.

Which projects are the Waste Group involved in?
Our inaugural project BYOC (Bring Your Own Container) is a campaign to promote re-using, rather than buying and throwing away.  The idea is that Nelsonian’s should be encouraged to use their own containers, whether it be their own thermal mug for take-away coffees, their own shopping bags, their own plates and cutlery at events, or even their own containers for take-away food or fresh produce in shops.
 
Retailers can give our community the opportunity to reduce waste and protect our environment, by supporting this promotion.  If you are happy to encourage your customers to use their own containers, we will provide you with a poster confirming you are a ‘BYOC’ retailer and will include your name in our BYOC promotions.  BYOC was introduced at Opera in the Park.  Watch out for further media releases. 

You will find that many companies are supportive of this belief, including Starbucks, who manufacture their own branded mugs for people to bring back time and time again, and our local Yaza café, who charge customers more if they need a takeaway container rather than bring their own.  Many other businesses around Nelson have already taken this project on – so look out for the posters and give your custom to these outlets.

We are inviting all local businesses to be a part of BYOC by:
-    Displaying our poster in your shop
-    Supporting customers who bring their own containers
-    If appropriate, offering an incentive to encourage customers to use their own containers.  E.g. if the cost of the paper cup you would usually provide for coffee is 5% of the sale price, you might consider offering a 5% discount to BYOC’ers.

New Zealand has a worldwide reputation for being “clean and green”, but one of the biggest issues facing our country is what to do with all our waste?  We’d like to invite you to take part in a promotion which will help Nelson reduce its waste and provide a positive image for your business.

Now that BYOC has been launched we are keen to move on to look at additional projects.

What can I do?
The Waste Group are keen to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to existing projects and from people who have ideas for new projects aimed at reducing the amount of waste Nelson sends to landfill. You might want to work with your neighbours to reduce the amount of waste your street produces, or you might have an idea that involves the whole of Nelson – whatever your thoughts are, whatever the scale, if they involve actions that support our working towards Zero Waste then please contact us.

Where do you see the Waste issue in 2021? If you want to help us move our city away from the current dependence on landfill please contact us.

Who do I Contact?
To join the Transition Nelson Waste Group, attend the next meeting or find out more  contact the group at TNWaste@gmail.com or phone Karen Driver on 03 545 9176.

Further information
The Nelson Environment Centre’s website has a section on Waste Education Services and links to the Nelson City Council’s website and other waste related sites.

Below are several posters relating to the BYOC project.