Before and beyond: Plastic and glass bottles

Before and beyond: Plastic and glass bottles, paper and plastic shopping bags…tomorrow’s gold?

Members of the public are being invited to take part in "The Next Step – Waste as a Resource Workshop" being held in Dunedin on Saturday 19 September 2009 at the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel.

This all-day stimulating workshop 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 aims to engage approx. 25 members of the public to raise awareness of how they can help utilise waste as a resource. Refreshments are included and attendees will be reimbursed with a $20 petrol voucher for any travel costs associated with participating in this event. A confidential voluntary pre and post-survey will be conducted.

• The session will also 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. Approx. 100 people will be in attendance.

• Key presenters and experts include: Steve Henry – Centre for Sustainable Practice, Otago Polytechnic; Jim O’Gorman – Dirt Doctor; Dr Mick Abbott - Senior Lecturer, Environmental Design, University of Otago; Doug Hall - Halls Transport; Richard Morley-Hall – Interface Carpets; Dr Maureen Howard - Facilitator for Sustainable Living and Behaviour change; Dr Mark W. Milke, Associate Professor – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury and Professor Rob Lawson, Marketing, University of Otago.

• Spaces are strictly limited; anyone interested in attending should contact Sue Clarke on director@scifest.org.nz. For more information visit www.scifest.org.nz

Key quotes

Justin Brownlie – Director of Communications, Ministry of Research Science and Technology

We are extremely proud to support this session. It aims to engage and create collaboration across a broad range of sectors, including the community to stimulate discussion about innovative opportunities that may arise from the persistent of waste. The Ministry is looking forward to taking the lessons learned from this session and looking how they can be applied around the country. www.morst.govt.nz
Sue Clarke – Director, New Zealand International Science Festival www.scifest.org.nz

This workshop really needs members of the public to come along and share their ideas on how we can move away from recycling and utilise our waste as a resource. We don’t want to leave a legacy of waste for our future generations. As consumers, we can influence what is made and how, based on our buying preferences and looking at the longevity of products and related manufacturing processes in terms of sustainability. This will be just one of the exciting areas being discussed on the day.

ENDS

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