Plastic Free Wānaka (PFW) has partnered with Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) in launching a summer campaign to educate and inspire visitors to cut down on single-use waste.

PWF leads the SUCfree Wānaka initiative, which was launched in 2019 to reduce the use of single-use-cups.

Eleven cafes in Wānaka are now fully single-use-cup free and (according to a 2023 Wastebusters survey) 63 percent of Wānaka residents now follow the ‘sit, buy or BYO’ ethos.

This saves an estimated 855,000 cups from landfill each year, PFW said.

The new campaign aims to inspire visitors to adopt the same sustainable habits, PFW board member Sophie Ward said.

“Taking a moment to sit down for a coffee doesn’t just reduce waste - it lets you connect with the beauty of Wānaka and support local businesses,” Sophie said.

“A small change - like bringing a reusable cup or taking a moment to sit down - can have a big impact.”

“By involving visitors, we can make a significant impact and provide even more support for local cafés embracing sustainable practices.”

As part of the campaign, PFW is inviting accommodation providers, including hotels, motels, and AirBnB hosts to spread the word. 

Downloadable resources, including posters and guest communication templates, are available from PFW to support this effort. 

Lake Wānaka Tourism head of destination Gizelle Regan said the organisation was “100 percent behind” the campaign.

“It’s all about looking after this incredible place we call home,” she said.

“By ditching single-use cups, we can all play a part in keeping Wānaka beautiful for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.”

Accommodation providers and local businesses interested in supporting the movement can access resources at the PFW website here or by emailing Emma ([email protected]).

PHOTO: Plastic Free Wanaka