Destination Queenstown (DQ) and Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) are helping businesses reduce waste and move toward a circular, zero-waste future. Explore practical tools, resources, and local solutions that support waste minimisation, smarter procurement, and regeneration through better material use.
Waste reduction strategies for industries
Reduce your workplace waste with these industry specific practical guides created by Wastebusters for businesses in the Queenstown Lakes District.
Becoming a single-use cup free (SUC-Free) business can significantly reduce your environmental impact by minimising plastic waste, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, and aligning with growing consumer preferences for eco-friendly practices.
Sustainable Queenstown have launched a project called SUCfree Whakatipu. Find out more about SUC-free alternatives and what your workplace can do to help.
The SUCfree movement is a grassroots initiative aimed at reducing, and ultimately eliminating throwaway coffee cups. Remove the cost of throwaway cups from your business OR reduce costs when you swap in for a loan cup scheme.
DISHrupt
The DISHrupt initiative by Sustainable Queenstown helps local events ditch disposables with smart, durable reusable serveware systems. No matter what type of event you are running, their services make it easy and affordable to go waste-free.
Wastebusters and QLDC have created a practical guide to support businesses of any size, within the district to create a waste minimisation plan.
Reduce your organic waste with Waste to Wilderness
Waste to Wilderness collaborates with numerous businesses across the region to reduce organic waste and transform it into compost for local charities like the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust. Discover the how and why of getting involved with Michael Sly and his team.
Don't let surplus food go to waste
Partner with Foodprint to sell your leftover or end of day food at a discounted rate on app.
Redistribute surplus food to those in need with KiwiHarvest.
Wastebusters support for your business
Wastebusters offers expert tailored support for business that includes waste audits, staff workshops and waste minimisation solutions.Learn more here.
Become a RefillNZ Station and allow visitors to fill up their reusable water bottle
RefillNZ helps people refill their water bottles with free tap water at participating businesses, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles. When visitors see a RefillNZ sticker in your window, they know they’re welcome to pop in and fill up their bottle for free. Find more information and to how sign up to become a participating business here.
Commercial waste services in Queenstown and Wānaka
Hosting an event? Here is a guide and toolkit from QLDC to help you mitigate your event waste. It includes a comprehensive guide, up-to-date supplier directory, waste management plan template, waste audit templates, reduction plan templates and more.
Measure What Matters | Wastebusters
Learn how local waste experts Wastebusters assist businesses in Wānaka and Queenstown Lakes to measure and manage their waste effectively.
Contact Us
Have questions or want to chat about how you can implement these resources in your business?
Reach out to our Sustainability Manager, Micaela below.
