Changing your mindset is as simple as asking ‘can we repurpose it or recycle it?’, according to Otago Polytechnic horticulture lecturer Emma Ewan. 

Emma teaches horticulture at the Central Campus in Cromwell where the team has put initiatives in place to support waste minimisation.

“Our long term absolute goal is zero waste to landfill from our orchard site,” Emma said. 

At the orchard, vineyard, nursery, in the classroom and common room, what seem like small process changes are contributing to looking after the land and resources for future generations.

Emma said everything they do is integrated into kaitiakitanga (guardianship).

“We are kaitiaki of this land and it is our responsibility to respect and treasure it.

“One example is our students have repurposed old wheelie bins into worm farms to use on site.”

Three repurposed worm farms take care of any food waste on site

Spent barley (from the brewery school) is used as orchard mulch and in the future will be composted with green waste and used potting mix.

A skip has been removed to encourage students and staff to reassess what they want to throw away.

Emma said reuse is the way they do things, and everyone understands what they are doing and why.

Weed mat, stakes, clips, plastic grow guards are reused for berry patches. The nursery has a drop off for used plant pots, which are then reused. 

Cardboard boxes from across campus are collected, and reused at Easter and Labour weekend plant sales. 

If things cannot be reused many of their suppliers have recycling initiatives through Plasback. 

“Agrochemical containers, LDPE sacks and woven PP bags… can be recycled.”

Emma said excess sacks have been donated to a fundraising group for pinecones, and 1970s horticulture magazines have been given away to local schools.  

In the common room, recycling stations are set up for diversion of usual yellow bin contents.  

The soft plastics go to Future Post to be made into plastic posts (which the school then uses in the vineyard and amenity areas when replacing damaged posts.)

Another improvement reducing water use is the portable wind machine the school purchased to use for frost protection.

The Central App wants to hear from organisations and workplaces committed to sustainability. Share what you’re doing to reduce waste, email [email protected].