Meet the Wash Against Waste project!
Tina Koch runs the Seaside Market in Taranaki and aims to reduce the amount of rubbish generated by our local events. Her project is a local dishwashing trailer and is called “Wash Against Waste”!
The Seaside Market is an arts/crafts and food market primarily based at Ngāmotu Beach. Tina has owned and operated this for 5 years and has been seeking a way to reduce the amount of rubbish generated, in particular, the reduction of single-use food and drink containers and cutlery that are regularly used at our market and events around our region. As a result, Tina is developing a project called "Wash Against Waste” which is a dishwashing trailer where customers use real crockery and cutlery for their food. These are then returned to the trailer to be rinsed, cleaned, washed, and commercially sterilized. This significantly reduces single-use burger boxes, plates, bowls, cutlery, and coffee cups which then end up in the rubbish / or compost. We see this also as a way for food vendors to reduce the cost they are having to pay for these expensive sustainable compostable packaging and serve ware.
Tina was impressed by ‘Gourmet in the Gardens, a food event in Hamilton which had a dishwashing trailer, and she immediately thought we need this in Taranaki. Since then she has made contact with various organisations around Aotearoa who are also using this concept to gain ideas, pros and cons, and any additional aspects to consider. Envirohub in Malborough and their Zero Waste Event Services have been integral in this journey.
Photo of the dishwashing trailer currently use in Marlborough by Envirohub
How does it work?
Food vendors are given a stack of plates/bowls, suitable to their food offerings, and when a customer orders they will be given their food on an actual plate. Cutlery stations will also be set up centrally for the event so customers can grab what they need. When their meal is finished the plates and cutlery are returned to the "Wash against Waste" trailer and food waste is scraped into compost bins. Plates and cutlery are then rinsed, washed, and sterilized ready to be used again. The trailer is run by staff, volunteers, and community groups.
Sign explaining how to return the dirty dishes in Marlborough.
The Impact
The impact can be huge just by eliminating single-use products from entering the landfill. While a number of these one-use products are compostable, unfortunately not all are, and a significant number still end up in the landfill.
“We see this as just the beginning and know this trailer could be used not only at the Seaside Market but at a number of other events, markets, sporting events as well as school galas and community events across the region.” - Tina Koch
Next Steps
While still in the early stages, the Seaside Market does have initial plans for the trailer and Tina is super excited about receiving the first funding grant to go towards the building of the trailer itself. She is working very closely with NPDC to support our application for a portion of their Zero Waste Fund. An amazing amount of support from the public has been motivating as well. The "Every $1 donated buys a plate" initiative has raised $200 towards plates and cutlery, as well as donated plates. Everyone wants to see this project happen.
The estimated completed cost of the trailer is around 45K including the commercial sterilizers costing around 7.5k each. We are hoping to have the trailer up and running within 6 months, but realise more support is needed.
How can people or businesses help?
Please get in touch with the Seaside Market or Sustainable Taranaki. We want this to be as much of a local venture as possible so any businesses / big or small, groups, or individuals who want to help please reach out. Whether it is donating $1 or helping with larger financing / sponsorship / funding grants, or donating time to help with the building, branding, resourcing of appliances, or kitting out of the trailer we would love to hear from you. In acknowledgment of the support we receive for the trailer, once built it will be branded with the logos and businesses names of those that have helped make this a reality.
Donations and information table about this project at the Seaside Market.
Thank you and we wish you all the best with this really meaningful project that will move Taranaki significantly closer to the Zero Waste ambition!
Thank you again for the opportunity. It is really appreciated.
To contact Tina: theseasidemarket@gmail.com
More about Zero Waste in Taranaki:
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