For immediate release - Wednesday 16 September 2009

The Next Step - Waste as a Resource Workshop will be held in Dunedin on Saturday 19 September 2009 at the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel from 9.00am to 5.15pm.

A first of its kind, using a unique approach, this workshop aims to engage a broad range of industry sectors and the community to focus expertise and ideas in how Dunedin’s waste can be utilised as a resource.

This all-day stimulating session will explore one of the most important questions of our time: the need to move on from recycling initiatives towards resource stewardship with the overall aim of achieving zero waste in Dunedin by 2015. (in line with the Dunedin City Council Resource Recovery and Waste Management Strategy, 2006/7 – 2015/16).

Key Points

• Rod Oram, Global and Economic Commentator will facilitate this workshop utilising a unique approach; engaging in a "hats off" discussion forum with leading scientists, policy makers (local and national), businesses, educational institutions, interest groups and the public.

• The workshop will showcase national and local sustainability practices within industry, the public sector, and the community. Also included are interactive workshops, panel discussions and a bus tour to the Green Island landfill.

• The morning session will feature two key presenters including a stimulating presentation from Neville Auton, Energy Manager, Dunedin City Council on a conceptual "Energy Future" project. Steve Henry, Centre for Sustainable Practice will discuss the newly formed centre within the Otago Polytechnic, leading the way in tertiary education in New Zealand, by being the first institution to integrate sustainable principles into their curriculum.

• A national success story will be presented in the afternoon by Richard Morley-Hall from InterfaceNZ, a commercial carpet tile supplier who are leading the way in sustainable carpet manufacturing and aim to have a zero environmental footprint by 2020.

• Other key presenters and experts during the day include: Jim O’Gorman – Dirt Doctor; Dr Mick Abbott - Senior Lecturer, Environmental Design, University of Otago; Nic McEwan – Hall Bros Transport and Dr Maureen Howard - Facilitator for Sustainable Living and Behaviour Change.

• A panel discussion will conclude the activities from the day with panel members Professor Rob Lawson – University of Otago, Associate Professor Mark Milke - University of Canterbury, Sue Coutts - Wanaka Wastebusters &GetReal and Tony Avery, Dunedin City Council - City Environment General Manager.

• Following this pilot workshop, further funding from Ministry of Research Science and Technology may be available to facilitate the development of resources for both industry and the community.

• Outcomes from this event could be optimised and implemented in other parts of the country as applicable.

Key quotes

Richard Morley- Hall – South Island Sales Manager, InterfaceNZ www.interfacenz.com

"This workshop is an opportunity for us to share good practice and show how sustainable practices can become part of the manufacturing process within industry. We are constantly looking for ways for us to reduce our impact on the environment, reduce carpet going into landfill and to challenge the building community on their build and demolish processes. We hope others can learn from our experience and introduce sustainable, commercially viable practices into their operations".

Sue Coutts – Manager, Wanaka Wastebusters www.wanakawastebuters.co.nz

"It’s the little things that really matter. It’s what each of us does every day that will make a different world. Just start, do anything, whether you are in business, at home, a kid, a politician or a community leader. Every place has qualities that will make it a winner, just get out there and get started. Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. If we can do it in our town, you can do it in yours!"

Sue Clarke – Director, New Zealand International Science Festival www.scifest.org.nz

"We've had a high response from the community and expect around 80 people from across all sectors to attend on the day. This event is an opportunity to share ideas on how we can move away from recycling and utilise our waste as a resource, but more importantly a chance for future collaboration between industry, policy makers, institutions, and the community. The aim of this session is to empower us all to think beyond the concept of recycling; towards resource stewardship to help achieve a sustainable future, through waste minimisation, innovation and utilising waste as a resource".

ENDS