Information and guides to help event organisers minimise waste at their events.

Sustainable Events Canterbury

In Selwyn we love celebrating our unique region through fun, vibrant and diverse events. We recognise the value these events provide to our community but are also aware of the negative impacts that waste generated at events can have on our natural environment. In line with circular economy thinking, we're taking action to minimise these impacts through sustainable event management practices.

The Sustainable Events Canterbury (SEC) initiative brings together the efforts of Christchurch City Council’s Composting Food Packaging at Events (CFPE) initiative and Selwyn District Council’s Selwyn Events Sustainably Initiative (SESI).

This consolidation aims to simplify things for event organisers and exhibitors within the Canterbury region so that regardless of whether the event is in Lincoln or Linwood the packaging requirements will be the same.

Each event participating in SEC provides three waste streams for public use, similar to home kerbside bins but with event specific distinctions:

  • Green: For organics, including food and approved compostable packaging (unlike home kerbside organics bins that must exclude packaging). Please see iinformation on approved compostable packaging below.
  • Yellow: For clean cardboard, plastic bottles, drink cans, and glass bottles (mirroring standard kerbside recycling).
  • Red: For landfill waste, including all lids.

Our easy to follow guide [PDF, 1391 KB] walks event organisers through the key components of successfully minimising waste at their events.

Also check our Sustainable Events Canterbury Exhibitor Guide [PDF, 398 KB] and Organiser Guide [PDF, 149 KB].

Approved Compostable Packaging

Participating events operate a closed-loop system where all food is served in approved compostable packaging. Both food scraps and packaging go into designated green bins for local composting.

It's important to note that while numerous products claim to be compostable, there are no New Zealand standards to prevent false claims, so this initiative only endorses packaging that has been vetted by the Council and local compost facilities to guarantee compatibility with our composting processes and standards.

Approved compostable packaging, as listed in the exhibitor guide, is sent to local facilities in Christchurch and Selwyn based on the event location. These facilities can only accept packaging that meets international composting standards and other local requirements.

Approved compostable packaging used at events can only be composted at the event. Any packaging that is taken home cannot be disposed of in your Council organics bin and must be placed in your Council rubbish bin or bag.