Email: info@ecofest.org.nz
http://www.ecofest.org.nz

MEDIA RELEASE – 3 February 2004

Ecofest Day

Photo Caption: Pukeko made from recycled materials at EcoFest BOP 2002.

EcoFest BOP will again take place throughout the Bay of Plenty in February and March 2004. This will be the third time the biennial Festival of the Environment will be held in the region.

EcoFest BOP 2004 will continue where the last festival left off, says festival co-ordinator Jennifer Pearson. “This year’s focus will be on waste reduction but we will also be including hazardous waste events,” she continues. The purpose of the festival is to increase awareness of alternatives to dumping waste.

A family day, called EcoFest Day, will be a major part of EcoFest BOP 2004, Ms Pearson says. The event will be held on Saturday 6th March 2004 from 10 – 5pm at the Tauranga Racecourse.

EcoFest Day will be a family day, expo-style, with stalls and displays about waste management and recycling tips, showcasing environmentally friendly services and product. Some of the activities planned include worm farm and composting demonstrations and information about alternatives to hazardous waste. There will also be many environmental products and organic produce for sale. Toyota will also be there with their new hybrid car, the Prius.

EcoFest BOP is once again being sponsored by Environment Bay of Plenty. The regional council will also incorporate scheduled Hazmobile visits to the region with EcoFest BOP 2004.

The HazMobile collection of hazardous waste materials in Tauranga will take place on the same day as EcoFest Day at the Maleme Street transfer station.

“We’re encouraging people to go and drop off their hazardous waste at the transfer station and then come along to the EcoFest Day just down the road,’ says Ms Pearson.

The Hazmobile will also be operating at Katikati 4th March at the Talisman Drive carpark and at Te Puke 13th March in Commerce Lane.

Another event planned for March 6th is the EcoChallenge at the Mount Cosmopolitan Club. Organised by Tauranga Environment Centre, the quiz is for teams of six to test their knowledge on the environment.

There are still limited sites available at EcoFest Day. If you would like further information then please contact 0800 ECOFEST or the website www.ecofest.org.nz

EcoFest BOP is spread throughout the entire Bay of Plenty Region - from Waihi Beach in the north to Rotorua in the west - and as far south as Opotiki. EcoFest BOP 2002 attracted more than 12,000 people to a variety of events through out the region during the weeklong festival.

Events will also be happening in Rotorua, Kawerau and Opotiki with Norske Skog and Carter Holt Harvey also continuing their support of EcoFest BOP.

Ends

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