iD Dunedin Fashion Shows Green

iD Dunedin Fashion Shows Green

Dunedin (7 April, 2011):

iD Dunedin Fashion Show takes recycling seriously, and this year is taking its waste minimisation plan one step further.

Last year, the two iD Dunedin Fashion shows produced a total of just over a tonne of waste, but thanks to the placement of public recycling bins, and hard work by caterers and cleaners in conjunction with the DCC, about 767kg of that, including 640kg of glass, was recycled.

This year, the organisers are taking advantage of the DCC’s new recycling systems and have committed to not only collecting recycling, but sorting the glass into colours, allowing it to be remade into glass bottles.

Dunedin City Council Waste Strategy Officer, Catherine Irvine, says a great deal of planning has been involved in this year’s show to minimise the amount of waste that will go to the landfill.

Caterers ‘Scotia’ have committed to sorting glass into colours behind the bar, as well as sorting smaller amounts of cardboard and paper packaging, and plastics.

As well, Wanaclean, which is responsible for clearing up after both shows, will sort discarded glass.

Public recycling bins, which are being placed around the show and in the model’s dressing rooms, will allow the public to get in on the act, sorting their glass and putting non-recyclables into a waste bin.

It means the glass, which is the largest component of waste from the shows, will be able to be sent through Dunedin’s new recycling system, which sends sorted glass to Auckland to be remade into bottles. Mixed glass would only be able to be smashed and used as an aggregate, providing a lower return to the city.

Catherine Irvine says the efforts of the organisers and contractors for this large event demonstrates what can be achieved, and will form a useful guide as the DCC works on a Waste Minimisation Plan for Events prior to Rugby World Cup 2011.

“Let’s hope their commitment and contribution to reducing the waste impact on our environment makes its own fashion statement,” she said of the organising team.

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