With 40,000 people attending the Wānaka Show each year, doing our bit to keep things sustainable and limit our environmental impact is an endeavour that takes a little Kiwi ingenuity and a whole lot of planning.

Working towards becoming more environmentally friendly is an ever-evolving journey. This year the focus is on waste reduction, after data from 2021 – from Wastebusters - revealed 4.89 tonnes of generated waste was sent to landfill, 1.4 tonnes of recyclables and 2 tonnes of livestock poo were sent to compost.

Wānaka A&P Show board member Dell Taylor says it’s important to collect data and build upon the findings gathered in 2021.

“Sustainability is about planning,” Dell explains, “it is a whole raft of little steps, and we want everyone to be involved. The idea is that we will gradually work towards zero waste to landfill by 2026.”

She will join a Wastebusters team during the Show days, visiting stalls and educating Show-goers about waste reduction.  

Some 2023 changes for stall exhibitors:
Here are a few ways stall exhibitors can join in waste reduction and improve their sustainability.

Filling out the waste questionnaire: An email questionnaire will be sent to all exhibitors asking for more information about their Show waste produced.

Collecting information at the Show: Stallholders and exhibitors are encouraged to keep a running total of the number of products used and supplied (e.g.: coffee cups, pre-packaged drinks) across the Show’s two days, and actively working on ways to help reduce the amount of waste.

Stall exhibitors who send through their information before Friday 17 March (5pm) will go into the draw to win a free stand for the 2024 Show.

Some simple, practical ways to make your Show more sustainable:
Show-goers can do their part as well. This year, the Show is encouraging visitors to plan ahead with some simple sustainable tips.

Bring your own renewable cups and bottles. Free stations will be available to top up water bottles at the Showgrounds, eliminating the need to purchase single-use plastic bottles. For the mid-morning caffeine fix, substitute the single-use coffee cup with your own cup or mug.

If you bring it in, take it with you: Have food waste? Pop it in a container and take it home for composting. Make sure you put items in the correct bins at the Show – recycling, compost or waste to landfill, to avoid contaminating the recycling bins.

Making the Show more sustainable will take a collaborative effort and every small step counts. We began the process to make the Show more sustainable in 2021. Waste reduction is one way we can do our bit for our environment, especially as we aim towards the goal of zero waste to landfill by 2026.