Cheat sheets help Southern Lakes businesses beat waste

Industry-specific waste guides are helping Southern Lakes businesses minimise their impact on the planet.

The guides target accommodation providers, Airbnb and holiday home hosts, hair and beauty salons, hospitality operators, landscapers, office workplaces and tour operators, plus there's one comprehensive general guide too.

Written with zero waste and behaviour change experts Wastebusters as part of the Queenstown Lakes District Council supported Resourceful Communities programme, the guides provide practical and realistic solutions and tips to tackle the problem of commercial waste.

“These guides are a direct response from feedback that we received from the business community,” QLDC senior sustainability advisor Kath Buttar says.

“When we surveyed businesses across the region in 2023, the overwhelming message we received was that organisations wanted real life case studies and downloadable content as they look to reduce their waste.

"These guides do both, and, working with Wastebusters and engaging with local businesses, we have been able to provide ideas and solutions specific to our region’s waste reduction and recycling systems.

"These guides fall within a wider workstream to support businesses towards zero waste that includes workshops, industry groups and advice and region-specific information around recycling, green waste and composting hubs.” 

Ms Buttar thinks there are plenty of takeaways from all of the guides that could fit a range of contexts, and she encourages people to get reading, "even if you don’t immediately think that they are relevant to your business".

"If you pick up even just one idea that can help you and your team reduce your workplace waste, then you’ve made a good start. Each guide has a section of links to more resources and the next steps you can take to seek out additional help."

Wastebusters’ business development manager Sophie Ward agrees the guides are a great go-to for businesses across all industries, with the additional links within them a "valuable" resource.

“Making the decision to tackle your waste can seem daunting, but small actions can lead to immediate wins and these guides will give businesses the confidence to make a start," Ms Ward says.

"We’ve worked with organisations of all sizes across the region through our business consultancy arm, offering staff training, workshops and comprehensive waste audits.

"Engaging your staff and understanding your waste streams are key components to waste minimisation and we’ve been delighted to hear from businesses that we’ve worked with report back with the changes they’ve made, the wins they’ve had and the financial savings that have come about as a direct result of reducing their waste.”

The guides can be dowloaded for free from the QLDC website.