While the Waste Free Waitaki pop-up space is only for a short time, the benefits can be long-lasting, Waitaki District Council waste minimisation officer Lucianne White hopes. 

The issue of waste disposal can’t be ignored, so people might as well find out more today, she says.

“Council’s Waste Minimisation team are very excited to be part of the Revitalise Our Places Ōamaru (Ropo) programme and will be at 179 Thames Street for the rest of June.”

The space will have interesting and informative displays on waste topics such as the issue of food loss and waste, slow fashion, Project Reclaim (the removal of waste from former coastal dumping sites) along with a look at what the community throws out, what can be diverted and where.

There will also be a “conversation corner” with waste topics of the day, and community members are encouraged to pop in and have a chat about waste minimisation, resource recovery and what kind of waste-free future they want for the next generations.

Somebody will be at the former Health 2000 premises on Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes (or whenever the flags are out) and there will be a waste topic of the day advertised on the Waste Free Waitaki Facebook page as a conversation starter.

“There will also be a ‘kids corner’ with some fun activities and displays, and as a fun aside note, all the furniture is second hand and has been supplied from the Get Sorted shop at the Waitaki Resource Recovery Park,” Lucianne says. “So if you like it, make an offer!”

There will be competitions throughout the month, which will be on the Facebook page or in the shop window.

“So grab a coffee, in your reusable coffee cup of course, and pop in for a chat soon. We’d love to see lots of our community so we can walk the Waste Free Waitaki talk together.”

Come, take a seat, and learn about becoming more waste free. Photo: Ashley Smyth