Reusable cups at Nelson events

One Nelson company used only reusable cups at a big local event, resulting in one wheelie bin of rubbish all up.

Nelson Venues director Ali Lawley said she decided to implement a reusable cup scheme during the Netball NZ’s Super Club Event at Trafalgar Centre at the beginning of July.

For a deposit of $2, which they would get back upon returning the cup, people received a reusable plastic beaker.

‘‘As a result the amount of waste was just the food packaging, which came to about one wheelie bin.

‘‘It really does make a difference. I’m quite passionate about environmental issues, when we run events we try to have a sustainable approach.’’

Lawley said the $2 deposit factored in the possibility of someone taking home the cup instead of returning it for the deposit.

She said the feedback she received from the visitors at the end had been great, after they got their head around the fact they were getting a reusable cup.

‘‘It’s really a behavioural change. I haven’t innovated this idea, I saw it at Womad Festival ... where they use this model every year.

‘‘I brought it down to Nelson and used it at the second Fight for Victory event in 2015 at Saxton Pavilion.’’

Lawley said people were ’’finally waking up’’ to the environmental impact of single-use plastics.

‘‘But the world doesn’t get changed overnight,’’ she said. ‘‘One step at the time, and they’re small steps.’’

Lawley said the key to making better environmental decisions was the availability of a Plan B in case someone forgot their reusable cup or reusable shopping bag.

‘‘We’re all human and we all forget things. I forget my bags sometimes ... and having rentable bags or cardboard boxes available [at the supermarket] is a nobrainer.’’

Lawley said it would be ‘‘a great lifestyle move’’ if everybody had their coffee at the cafe instead of on the go.

‘‘I think we all should be slowing down but I’m realistic and not telling people how to live their lives.

‘‘If we accept that people are moving at a faster pace of life this is a way to help them manage that.’’

She said the switch from disposable items to reusable items was about a change in education.

‘‘People are also more accepting to change if it’s in a way that’s financially manageable,’’ she said. ‘‘I firmly believe they won’t give up their coffee if they have to have it in a disposable cup.’’

The Nelson Cider Festival used glass for all the drinks and reusable plastic cups for children and the festival was 95 per cent zero waste, Lawley said.

‘‘We try to walk the talk where ever we can. It’s a re-education process.’’

Top duo

Waimea College duo Ellie & Laura is one of three solo-duos to make it through as national finalists in this year’s Smokefreerockquest. The girls Laura Koleff (vocals, guitar) and Ellie Huxtable (keyboard, vocals, guitar) will join eight bands along with the other two solo-duos for the finals in Auckland on September 2. A record number of bands and solo-duos competed earlier this year, finalists then prepared 12 minute video entries. Entries were viewed by a panel of judges from the New Zealand music industry.

More flights to Auckland

Air New Zealand plans to put on 16,500 more seats than last year on the AucklandNelson route this summer. The flights are planned for between November and March and the airline says it will increasingly use its larger (68 seat) ATR aircraft on the route.

Pokies grant

Sport Tasman was granted $50,000 from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) last month. The trust awarded the money to go towards the community sport senior advisor role in the events team. Gaming machines at The Ocean Lodge Hotel, the Shark Bar, and the Tapawera Hotel contributed to the grant.

Cheerio

It may look pretty, but the Taiwan cherry tree is an invasive pest tree that blooms at this time of year. The Nelson City Council is offering free removal of the tree. In the last year, council contractors have controlled about 11,000 Taiwan cherry trees from gardens and reserves around Nelson. The focus this year is on removing residual trees, recognisable by their bright pink blossoms in late July and early August. Council contractors will be contacting landowners with known trees over the next few weeks, to arrange removal free of charge - particularly in the Dodson Valley area where the trees are becoming extremely invasive.