Read all about what happened during The Next Step. See below for copies of the presentations held.
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Following The Next Step - Waste as a Resource Workshop on Saturday 19 September, a "Business for Change" group has been established. The group welcomes people in business who are serious about change, specifically around issues of environmental and social sustainability.
For further information please refer to Dunedin Business for Change. If you are interested in coming along to a meeting or simply having your name added to the network database, please register with Ella Lawton.
Steve Henry, from the Centre for Sustainable Practice, Otago Polytechnic said the Next Step - Waste as a Resource sessions at the end of the day were very productive and provided the ability for people to take action.
"The workshop provided a forum to bring people together from multiple disciplines and the momentum to establish this networking opportunity, which to date has been informal. What we all have in common is seizing opportunities in how waste can be utilised as a resource, including the development of products and services that can create efficiency gains".
- The highlight of the morning session was a presentation by Neville Auton, Energy Manager, Dunedin City Council on a conceptual "Energy Future" project. Conceptual projects were outlined providing the city with opportunities to create a wood based energy economy, showcasing potential cost savings to heat the city’s Moana Pool, distribution heating systems for council and public buildings and the introduction of smart street lighting in the city alongside commercial gains.
- An entertaining visit to the Green Island landfill followed the morning session, with packed lunches provided in biodegradable potato starch based packaging. Dave Hannan, Delta Utilities Landfill Engineer and Organic Supplies Manager, held the group in the palm of his hand, with compelling anecdotes illustrating current waste minimisation activity and future plans for the city landfill.
- Other presenters on the day included Steve Henry, Centre for Sustainable Practice, Richard Morley-Hall from InterfaceNZ, Jim O’Gorman - Dirt Doctor; Dr Mick Abbott - Senior Lecturer, Environmental Design, University of Otago; Nic McEwan - Hall Bros Transport and Dr Maureen Howard - Facilitator for Sustainable Living and Behaviour Change.
- A panel discussion concluded the activities from the day and covered areas including support for businesses with waste minimisation initiatives via the Dunedin City Council Waste Strategy Officer, issues in landfill management, Enviroschools future funding and the need for the wider community to be engaged to facilitate change. Panel members included Professor Rob Lawson - University of Otago, Associate Professor Mark Milke - University of Canterbury, Sue Coutts - Wanaka Wastebusters & GetReal and Tony Avery, Dunedin City Council - City Environment General Manager.
- Other potential outcomes included community and related groups such as Sustainable Dunedin City Inc. forming ideas on how to raise awareness and share resources to maximise their waste, by utilising online communities and tools such as youtube.com. A solar based energy supply system for Dunedin residents including students and the possibility of corporate funding to assist education and link schools with "green" businesses were also discussed.
- Rod Oram, Global and Economic Commentator led the workshop engaging the audience in a "hats off" discussion forum with leading scientists, policy makers, businesses, educational institutions, interest groups and the public.
- Funding from the Ministry of Research Science and Technology was made available to develop and administer this session.
- Presentations available - Rod Oram, Neville Auton, Dr Mick Abbott, Dirt Doctor, Halls Transport, Richard Morely-Hall, Dr Maureen Howard
Comments:
Rod Oram – Global and Economic Commentator
"A strong connection was shown between local interest, engagement and a real passion to take action alongside how important the issues discussed are from a regional perspective. The visit to the landfill was an inspired idea and a wonderful learning experience by being able to visualise the issues, first hand. Attendance showed an excellent array of delegates, community representatives, senior level government representatives, from a systems thinking viewpoint and the psychology around how people are influenced".
Justin Brownlie – Director of Communications, Ministry of Research Science and Technology www.morst.govt.nz
"The day was a wonderful success. The things that delighted me the most were so many people with so many different perspectives. The diversity of ideas that have been exposed and the potential for future collaboration at a local level, within a fantastic close knit community. You can already see the practical activity that is going to happen".
Sue Clarke – Director, New Zealand International Science Festival
"Drivers for change came from a community level to facilitate change coupled with leadership and vision, from individuals through to policy makers. This was an incredibly successful event and has shown how we can all start to think beyond the concept of recycling; towards resource stewardship to help achieve a sustainable future".
Read presenters biographies here.
Downloadable programme here.