MEDIA RELEASE: 9 November 2005
Ellerslie Flower Show Goes Green
New Zealanders are great recyclers. For the first time this year they will have the opportunity to "use the right bin"
at the Ellerslie Flower Show being held at the Manurewa Botanical Gardens from 16-20 November.
Implementing a recycling programme in the high profile event is a dream come true for the Environmental Beverage Action
Group. EBAG is a cross-industry group dedicated to significantly increasing the numbers of used beverage containers
being recycled instead of sent off to landfill. The group is working to get recycling included in many high profile
events around the country. At the Ellerslie Flow Show this year glass bottles, aluminium cans and plastic water bottles
will all be collected in dedicated recycled bins placed around the site. In addition cardboard and plastic shrink-wrap
will be recycled from the event.
Group member Sharon Jereb of DB Breweries says "we know that gardeners are especially conscious of being responsible for
the environment and we are very confident that they will appreciate the opportunity to recycle used beverage containers
as they enjoy the wonderful event."
The Food & beverage service contractors for this year's Ellerslie Flow Show, is Compass Group NZ. National Operations Manager,
Murray Ross said that his company is getting more and more requests to ensure that recycling is part of their event
waste management plans. "We were very glad to be approached by the Environmental Beverage Action Group as their
philosophy of environmental responsibility fits very neatly with what we are also about. The Ellerslie Flower show
management are very supportive as well, so everyone is working together to minimise the amount of waste generated from
the event."
Ellerslie Flower Show General Manager Peter Cox said they are delighted to incorporate recycling in this year's show
that promises to be bigger than ever. "We hope that all visitors to the show will get the message and use the right
bin", said Mr Cox.
ENDS