Event recycling has been launched in Queenstown Lakes with outstanding success and will become a permanent feature of future events in the district.

Waste minimisation officer Linda Wright says recycling stations were set up last weekend at the Lake Hayes A & P Show and the National Rugby Sevens competition at the Queenstown Recreation Ground.

Five stations operated at the showgrounds. Four stations on Saturday at the Rugby Sevens were increased to nine on Sunday to cope with demand from the large crowd of around 4,500 people.

"It was absolutely fantastic, the response was quite incredible," said Dr Wright. "People, particularly locals, were delighted to see recycling in action."

Recycling wheelie bins for glass, aluminium, plastics one and two and waste were set up by Wakatipu Waste Recyclers, and manned by members of the Queenstown Ice Hockey Club's Friendship team, as a fundraiser for an upcoming overseas tour.

"They provided the manpower and the council will make a donation to them for their work. They did an excellent job, directing people to the correct recycling bins and handing out specially designed recycling badges."

While last weekend's recycling was a trial, event organisers will be required, in the future, to include recycling as part of their resource consent conditions.

"Queenstown and Wanaka are event towns and it is important that recycling becomes part of the event culture," said Dr Wright. "We want organisers to recognise its significance."

The Central Otago Wine and Food Festival on February 5 is the next main event to be targeted for recycling.

"Again this large scale event will give us the opportunity to showcase what the council is doing in this area."

By: Kiri