Recycling at the Great Race

The Gallagher Great Race is New Zealand's most talked about rowing event, taking place on a central city stretch of the Waikato River . The event is usually a challenge between Oxford and Waikato University rowing teams, but this year the University of Washington took up the challenge.

The race is broadcast on a large screen located on the river bank, and the event includes entertainment throughout the day. The event is attended by thousands and the recycling operation took place in the central city area near Grantham St, across the river from the large screen.

Tools used:

• Message convened via PA system
• Commitment solicited by vendors when selling food/drink in recyclable containers
• Volunteers staffing recycling bins/stations.
• Message on big screen
• Creative theatre and roving performers were used to spread the waste minimisation message.
• Four recycling stations in areas with high pedestrian numbers
• Volunteers wearing T-shirts carrying the 'Sort it out' logo
• 'I recycled stickers Today' stickers were handed out
• Sort-it-out truck on site for sorting and visibility of programme.

Results

Volumes and weights of recyclables and waste:

Visual assessment of waste/recycling contamination

Recycling crates were generally uncontaminated, failing only where volunteers were uncertain about the recyclability of certain materials or people being over-enthusiastic (e.g coffee cup lids). Rubbish bins close to recycling station generally contained few recyclables, with bins further away from the recycling stations being the usual mix of recyclable and non-recyclable materials.

Evaluation

Recycling weight and volumes were low - compared to residual waste. As a result, having the Sort-it-Out truck on site was unnecessary.

Lessons for future events

Carrying bins through the crowd was the most effective way to increase participation in recycling.

Options for future events

• Low profile: Recycling bins/crates provided in clusters with rubbish bins.
• High profile: Volunteers staffing bins, stickers encouraging recycling, mobile recycling crates carried by volunteers or mounted on wheelbarrows and taken around site.

Contact

 
 
 
 
 
 
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City Waters
Level 5, Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6999
Fax: 838 6998

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