Plastic Free July is on and the annual Waste Free Fair is back!
After a hugely successful event last year, Wanaka’s Waste Free Fair will return on Sunday July 14. Co-hosted by Wastebusters and Plastic Free Wanaka, the event is held in the middle of Plastic Free July when people all over the world are choosing to refuse or reduce single-use plastics.
Wanaka’s own Waste Free Fair will provide plenty of solutions for those who want to cut plastic waste out of their lives. The fun and inspiring afternoon will include everything from honey wrap demonstrations and bulk bins to kids upcycling ideas and the Japanese folding art of Furoshiki.
Plastic Free Wanaka’s Anna van Riel said last year’s event was shoulder-to-shoulder, with about 350 people attending.
“We were so blown away by the turn out. This year will be bigger, better and hopefully really well-supported, as people are truly seeing the need to make a big shift in consciousness around waste reduction,” she said.
Anna said she was looking forward to seeing everyone connect, interact with the educational stalls and workshops, and most of all, to see our community come and hang out together in a creative and empowering way.
“We’ve also organised loads of resources to buy and give away so people can find helpful solutions to making easy changes in their daily lives.”
There will be competitions to enter, prizes to win and the Rubbish Trip’s comprehensive guide to waste-free local shopping to help you reduce your plastic consumption. This year there will also be more activities for children, with a colouring competition and kids crafts.
“The toy library will be there with toys set up for play and we’ve got children running their own stalls, so there’s plenty for all ages” Anna said.
“Dripping Bowl will have food available and we’ll have cups of tea so people can snug in and feel like they don’t have to rush. It really is an event for absolutely everybody.”
The Waste Free Fair will be held at the Lake Wanaka Centre from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday July 14. It’s free to enter. Bring cash to spend, and your friends and family too.