Lakeside and Raggamuffin concert-goers encouraged to recycle

ROTORUA 20.01.11: The success of a major recycling programme first introduced at the Raggamuffin Music Festival has resulted in similar measures being put in place for this main year’s summer events.

The New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras at the Lakefront was the first of 2011’s large summer concerts where Rotorua District Council has been able to divert a significant amount of waste from the landfill because people used the recycling facilities provided on-site.

Castlecorp business manager Mijo Katavic is encouraging locals and visitors to adopt the same approach at this Saturday’s [22 January] Lakeside concert.

“A massive 80% of waste from this year’s mardi gras was recycled, reducing the impact on our environment in a big way. The recyclable material collected was made up of 60% plastic, 20% paper, 10% cardboard, and 10% glass and cans.

“Rotorua has more fantastic events lined up this summer, including this weekend’s Lakeside concert at the Village Green, so we’re asking the community to continue getting behind these recycling initiatives. With such large numbers in attendance we can make a real difference by recycling.

“We’ve tried to make it as simple as possible so that no sorting is required, however we ask the public not to dispose of anything containing food or drink in the recycling bins.”

The recycling programme will also be implemented at the Raggamuffin Music Festival on 5 February, where a crowd of up to 30,000 is expected.

ENDS

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