Community zero waste initiatives have received a funding boost for the second year running. 

Grants totalling $60,000 have been allocated through the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) waste minimisation community fund to local initiatives, it was announced yesterday (Tuesday June 9). 

“We are delighted to announce six successful fund recipients and congratulate them on creating waste-reducing projects that enable our community to move toward a zero waste future,” QLDC general manager property and infrastructure Peter Hansby said. 

The fund was created in response to a call for council to support more community-driven initiatives. 

Wastebusters and One New Zealand received funding for their Better Building Resource Circulation project, a resource recovery campaign aimed at trading or donating excess construction material instead of sending it to landfill. 

One New Zealand’s Monique Kelly said waste was overwhelmingly recognised as a major issue in the 2019 Building Better Survey which came out during the ONE Summit last October. 

The Hawea Grove Eco Building Webisode Series received funding. PHOTO: Supplied

“Reduction of waste is a complex issue that needs support from the design stage, supply of materials right through to the build. In the current climate, efficient use of resources is a key focus for the industry, not only for reduction of waste but also efficiency in costs,” Monique said.

The Hawea Grove’s Hawea Grove Eco Building Webisode Series also received funding. 

The project aims to raise awareness about the waste generated from a house build by documenting the process and sharing learnings, from decision-making right through to completion. 

“The Hawea Grove is an opportunity to see how we can limit our impact on the environment while building a house,” Hawea Grove’s Keith Stubbs said. “Waste minimisation is a massive part of this. For this reason, we are honoured to receive this support from QLDC and incredibly excited to see what we are able to achieve.”

Four Wakatipu projects also received funding. 

Peter said he was grateful to all those who took the time to make an application for funding. 

“This second funding round has delivered an inspiring mix of waste reducing initiatives and we are excited to watch what applicants will achieve and how their projects will inspire the whole community towards zero waste,” he said.