A local cup-sharing and behaviour change scheme will be able to help reduce the number of takeaway cups ending up in Wanaka landfill, thanks to council funding.

Wanakup was one of three local projects to receive funding from Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) Waste Minimisation Community Fund (WMCF) in its latest round.

Funding of $4,158 will mean Wanakup founders Nathale Thaipun and Benjamin Quinn can attend at least 12 more local events.

“A lot of Wanaka locals may think we’ve just designed a great reusable cup and reusable system, but what we really do is address the need for community action and behavioural change,” Nathale told the Wanaka App.

“We do this by actively engaging with locals to build a waste-free culture by attending as many events as possible in this surrounding region.”

Wanakup’s lending system is simple: Borrow one of their cups from any participating business for $10. From there you can keep it, swap it for a clean one, or return it for your money back. 

Wanakup has provided free reusable cups to organisers and attendees at many events, which Nathale says creates an avenue for open dialogue on waste with a wide audience.

“We understand we can’t just stop at creating a system for change, we must also engage with the community so they actively become part of the change.

Nathale and Ben have been running Wanakup for almost three and a half years as a side hustle while working full-time “and to see it kick off naturally is amazing,” Nathale said.

Other Wanaka-based WMCF recipients include The Better Building Group ($16,680) and Wanaka Community Workshop Trust ($9,956).

PHOTO: Supplied