Waste Free Waitaki

05/05/2026

It’s Stop Food Waste Day, and here’s your reminder: you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference🌏

Small actions, done consistently, can help create a culture where wasting less food is just… normal, and it often inspires others too — whānau, flatmates, friends, even coworkers.

Got a question about reducing food waste, or a tip you swear by?
Comment below and let’s learn from each other 🫶🏽

05/05/2026

Plastic straws can feel unavoidable, especially with many bars and cafes automatically including them in every drink.

There are many ways that people choose to refuse plastic straws, including:

🍹Asking for their drink to be made without a single-use plastic straw before its made
🍹Using reusable straws made from materials such as steel, bamboo, or glass
🍹Encouraging their favourite local businesses to only provide straws when asked for, rather than as a default
🍹Speaking to schools, day care centres, and other childminding centres to think about their use of plastic straws in arts and crafts

Do you have creative ways to avoid plastic straws? Let us know in the comments!

05/05/2026

Waitaki District will be hosting their own Repair Cafe on July 25, 2026 in Oamaru, in collaboration with the Waste Free Waitaki Expo (previously known as Plastic Free July Expo). Hope to see you there!

🧵🔧 A Repair Café with a Creative Twist – This Mother’s Day - Sunday! 💐

Alongside all your usual repairs (we will have woodwork, electrical, bikes, and sewing fixes), we’re adding something special…

✨ Yarn & Stitch: Repair & Learn ✨
A hands-on, creative space where you can:
• Learn to knit
• Fix or troubleshoot knitting projects
• Reuse yarn from thrifted garments
• Master simple sewing skills (like buttons and basic repairs)
• Have a go on a sewing machine

💡 Got something at home that’s been sitting in Mum’s “to fix” pile for months (or years)? Bring it along and surprise her with it repaired – or better yet, bring her with you and make a morning of it 💚

🛠️ Don’t forget – our amazing volunteers will be on hand to help fix a wide range of items and add a visit to the Crows Nest Timaru!

📍 South Canterbury Eco Centre
🕙 Sunday 10th May 10am - 12pm

A big thank you to our amazing repair volunteers and Timaru Creative Fibre for bringing this pop-up to life – the kettle will be hot, so come enjoy a cuppa while you wait. Koha welcome for repairs.

05/05/2026

Container Return Scheme Bill went into the Biscuit Tin (members' bill) to Parliament on Friday. It has the potential to fix a broken, unfair system. Shifting costs from ratepayers to producers while putting money back in households. Let's get behind this! Email your MP today and say YES CRS! Para Kore Seagull Centre WasteMINZ Wanaka Wastebusters Xtreme Zero Waste

05/05/2026

Compost isn’t just a way to reduce food scraps – it’s nature’s way of creating nutrient-rich goodness for our gardens!

When we compost, we divert food waste from landfill and turn it into healthy soil full of nutrients and beneficial microbes. That rich, crumbly compost improves soil structure, helps retain water, and feeds plants so they grow strong and resilient – naturally reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.

This International Compost Awareness Week, learn how to get started with our Composting 101 guide to turn those food scraps back into a superfood that feeds the soil that feeds us 👇
https://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/composting-101/

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

Something special is growing... 🌿 This year's Botanic Gardens Week theme is 'Where Your Health Grows'. Your local botanic garden isn't just a beautiful space — it's your natural prescription for better wellbeing. Stay tuned all month as we explore the incredible ways nature is good for us.

We also have some fun competitions starting next week…….

05/05/2026

🌱 Did you know 95% of global food production depends on soil – yet soil health is under increasing pressure worldwide?

As part of International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), WasteMINZ members have come together to share a series of insightful pieces exploring compost use and soil health in New Zealand.

First up is 'Feeding the soil that feeds us', which looks at why soil health matters and how compost is being used across the country to support productive growing systems.

👉 Read the article and explore why soil care matters: https://www.wasteminz.org.nz/icaw/feeding-the-soil-that-feeds-us-part-one

04/05/2026

🔋 Batteries don’t belong in the bin – let’s do it the Waitaki Way 👣

A recent call from WasteMINZ highlights the growing urgency around battery disposal in Aotearoa. Batteries can cause fires, harm our environment, and waste valuable resources if they end up in landfill. Read more from WasteMINZ

Here in Waitaki, we’re taking action.

We have 3 battery recycling drop-off points available to our community:

📍 Waitaki Resource Recovery Park
📍 Oamaru Transfer Station
📍 Oamaru Mitre 10

Batteries contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused—but only if they’re recycled properly. When they’re thrown in the bin, they can be dangerous and even cause fires in collection trucks or facilities.

♻️ The Waitaki Way is about taking responsibility for our actions and caring for the place we call home. Let’s work together to leave only footprints—not hazardous waste behind.

👉 Next time you’ve got used batteries, take them to one of our drop-off points and be part of the solution.

Discover the finalists for the 2026 WasteMINZ + ALGA Awards, showcasing innovative projects in waste minimisation and resource recovery across New Zealand and Australia.