Sustainability tips

Oxfam New Zealand strives to have minimal environmental impact in all areas of our work, including our events.

• Find out more about our sustainability goals

Oxfam Trailwalker has won Best Environmentally Sustainable Event for three consecutive years by the NZ Association of Events Professionals.We could not achieve this without the support of event participants. It is important that teams take responsibility for their own carbon footprint because reporting is calculated on a per team basis. In 2010 each team was responsible for emitting 582.71 kg CO2. In 2011 we hope to reduce this by 5% per team. We encourage participants and support crews of Oxfam Trailwalker 2011 to be part of this challenge by taking steps to reduce their team emissions. Check out our tips below:

1. Stay all together in a Bach. It is best to stay in self contained accommodation such houses, apartments or baches as these produce less carbon emissions than hotels and motels. Visit www.bookabach.co.nz for baches in Taupo and www.organicexplorer.co.nz for a guide to eco-friendly places to stay.
2. Carpool. Reduce the number of km’s your team drives by carpooling at all times. Support crews will be limited to two vehicle passes per team (no entry to a checkpoint without your vehicle pass) to help us reduce our transport emissions. Transport currently contributes to 97% of all the event’s emissions!
3. Be prepared. Support crews avoid unnecessary trips back into town between checkpoints.
   Things to remember to avoid those unnecessary trips:
   
   1. Food – lots. For your team and for you. Don’t underestimate how much you’ll need.
   2. Gear – socks etc. Make sure you pack what they and you will need. It can get cold at night.
   3. Medications – Anti-flams, plasters, strapping tape, pain killers.
   4. Things to do – magazines, books, cards to keep you entertained.
   5. Juice for your phone, torch and the car!
   6. Plan – Check, check and check again. Shops are not open at 4am!
4. Reuse. Bring your own Mug to use at checkpoints rather than reaching for a disposable cup. If each participant and one support crew from each team used one cup per checkpoint we would waste 12,000 cups!
5. Use our recycling and compost stations. Or even better take away what you bring in .
6. Remove unnecessary packing before you arrive at the event. For example, bring your muesli bars but take them out of their box prior to leaving for Taupo.
7. Don’t buy plastic water bottles. Invest in a camel pack and refill from our mains tap stands at each checkpoint.