Turning waste into wins: thirteen local projects supported with $60K in QLDC funding

Through its Waste Minimisation Community Fund (WMCF), Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is once again backing passionate locals who are taking action to reduce waste and promote the sustainable use of resources. The fund supports projects that cut waste, recover valuable materials, and contribute to a more sustainable future for the district and its communities.  

This year, thirteen local projects are being supported to help reduce waste across the district, including initiatives such as low-waste parenting workshops, retirement village education programmes, sustainable party packs to loan from a local toy library, and the reuse of surplus building materials.

“What makes this year's projects so exciting is their strong focus on practicality and community impact,” said QLDC Sustainability Advisor Emma Brockie. “We've been really impressed with the hands-on solutions proposed to address a variety of waste challenges.” 

The WMCF is an annual contestable fund open to community groups, schools, businesses, iwi/Māori organisations, and individuals. It includes $50,000 to support community action and behaviour change projects, and $10,000 toward commercial waste minimisation, sponsored by Waste Management NZ Ltd.  

This year’s round saw 20 applications submitted over five weeks, requesting close to $200,000 in total. A panel of QLDC staff and an elected member carefully assessed each application to ensure alignment with fund goals. 

Thanks to the WMCF, the Wakatipu Toy Library will soon offer reusable party packs with themed decorations, tableware, and age-appropriate toys, making kids’ parties more affordable, fun, and low-waste.  

Adaptive Snowsports Whakatipu Charitable Trust is using WMCF funding to repurpose ski clothing left behind by guests visiting local ski fields in Queenstown into unique skirts that will be practical and fun. The skirts will be created from ski clothing, sleeping bags, toggles and ties from gloves, elastic from googles, and anything else that can be reused, upcycled and reimagined and kept out of landfill.  

This year’s WMCF is also supporting Waste Education for Retirement Villages, a series of fun and practical sessions led by educator Kate Fenwick. Designed for older adults, the sessions offer simple, age-appropriate ways to reduce household waste. Topics include reusable incontinence products, food waste reduction, recycling, and low-waste living.  

“These community-led projects empower people to take simple, everyday action that collectively moves us closer to becoming a zero-waste district,” said Ms Brockie. 

For more about the Waste Minimisation Community Fund, visit www.qldc.govt.nz/wmcf. 

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

2025/26 Waste Minimisation Community Fund recipients: 

• Adaptive Snowsports Whakatipu Charitable Trust - Snoskirz    

• Aspire Preschool and Nursery - Little Sprouts, Big Impact: Composting for a Zero Waste Future    

• CaliWoods Limited - Natural, Low-Waste Parenting: Workshops for Expecting and New Parents   

• Cameron Tippett - Recycled Filament Project    

• Dripping Bowl - Glass bottle return scheme; For more than just milk    

• Ian Fitzpatrick - The Trash Goblin    

• KingsView School - Compost System for our School    

• Merino Muster Limited - Sip smart - coming to your aid at the Muster   

• Natacha Murphy - Sustainable Cycles: Making Reusable Period Products Accessible    

• Protect Our Winters New Zealand Incorporated - Sustainable Slopes: Repair, Swap, and Learn    

• Wakatipu Toy Library - Sustainable Party Packs    

• Waste-Ed with Kate - Waste Minimisation Education in QLDC Retirement Villages    

• Women's Shed Aotearoa (formally known as Women's Shed Queenstown) - ‘From Offcut to Opportunity’: Diverting Surplus Building Materials through Reuse and Skill-Building