RWC 2011 Fans Embrace Sustainable Event

New Plymouth’s green credentials have been reinforced during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Nearly one-third of the nearly 50,000 fans at Stadium Taranaki’s three RWC games travelled to the ground by bus or ride-sharing. Thousands more walked to the stadium by following the blue-line fan trail.

In addition, 46 per cent of all rubbish generated at the stadium was diverted to recycling bins by members of the public.

“These numbers are fantastic as they show the public is embracing the habits of sustainable transport and recycling as much material as possible,” says Manager Rugby World Cup Jenny Mills.

“New Plymouth was committed to reducing and minimising the environmental impacts of staging RWC 2011. I’m glad to say that as well as New Plymouth being recognised as the best host city, we’ve also met the sustainability challenge as well.”

More than 15,100 people – or 32 per cent of people at the stadium over the three games –travelled to the ground by shuttle or chartered bus, or through ride-sharing. The shuttle buses alone transported 13,000 rugby fans.

As well, the public used the stadium’s Love NZ recycling bins to recycle the equivalent of 176,000 cans, 77,000 plastic bottles and 1,700 glass bottles during the three stadium matches.

As a result of funding received through a national public recycling programme in time for RWC 2011, permanent waste recycling bins have been installed in five locations around the city: Two bins at Stadium Taranaki and Brooklands Zoo, and one bin at the stadium at Pukekura Raceway, New Plymouth’s aquatic centre and Richmond Cottage.