Toward Zero Waste message hits the market

Noosa Farmers Market has halved the amount of rubbish it sends to landfill each week, with a little help from Council.

The market has joined Council’s Towards Zero Waste campaign with such success that organiser Shane Stanley has challenged other local events to follow the market’s lead.

Council supplies 20 brightly-coloured covers for the market’s bins, to distinguish the yellow recycling bins from the red general rubbish bins.

Mr Stanley has also introduced a cardboard recycling bin, while local farmers are recycling the market’s green waste.

“Our patrons have really got behind the cause. The rubbish bins used to be so full that our contractor had to empty our dumpster once a week. But with so many patrons using the recycling bins, we only empty it once a month now,” he said.

“It’s a massive reduction in waste going to landfill - I challenge any other market to beat us,” Mr Stanley said.

Council’s waste education officer Emma Menzies says patrons and stallholders are doing a great job of segregating their waste before they bin it.

Council is working with other local event organisers to help them repeat the market’s success.

Council requires all major events held on Council land to provide recycling bins for patrons. Council will supply the lids and covers free of charge.

“Event organisers are really happy to have the recycling bins as well as trial the new bin covers. Because they are so bright and distinctive the covers have helped reduce contamination of the recycle bins with food and other rubbish,” Ms Menzies said.

To book the bin covers for an event contact Council on 5329 6500.

28 October 2016