TedX event aims for zero-waste zone

Marty Hoffart says packaging is all about economies of scale and now it is becoming cheaper more caterers can use it. Photo / George Novak

TedX Tauranga organisers hope to prove 1000 people can produce no landfill waste in a whole day at their annual event next weekend.

The global speech series event is in its third year in Tauranga and organisers will be aiming to achieve a zero-waste zone, with food and drink catering all being served in recyclable or compostable packages.

Lead organiser Sheldon Nesdale said sustainability had been a part of the previous two events but the team decided to make it a focus after learning the caterer and venue were on board with the idea of zero waste.

The first step was to look at all waste the event would produce and plan so it was all recyclable or compostable.

The major focus was the catered food and the packaging it was served on, Mr Nesdale said, which would be made from a light cardboard and all be compostable.

People would be encouraged to bring their own refillable drink bottle instead of using plastic cups or bottles.

However, the important next step was ensuring the right materials went in the right bins.

TedX Tauranga would have four stations set up, with volunteers ensuring all materials were recycled and compostable materials were composted.

Mr Nesdale hoped that if people brought their own food with plastic packaging from home and actively had to put it in the landfill bin, alongside the recycling and compost, it would make them consider sustainability when buying food in the future.

An inspiring speech by Marty Hoffart from Waste Watchers at the 2014 event, landed him a key role in helping TedX Tauranga achieve its goal this year.

He commended TedX for taking on the challenge, saying events were great environments to do it, because organisers could control what was given out and where it was discarded.

It was not easy to make an event sustainable but it was a trend that was already taking off in New Zealand's main centres.

"Recycling at events is expensive and it's a lot more work. The packaging costs more too.

"But it's all economies of scale ... it's becoming cheaper so more caterers can use it."