Last year we announced WAI Wānaka are the local environmental organsiation we’ve selected to receive ticket fees from Envirotix. Which means that with every Ripe ticket purchased, a donation is being made to ensure future generations can drink safe water, swim in clear rivers and lakes, and enjoy the natural beauty of this place for years to come. How good, right?
The funds received from ticket fees will go towards WAI’s education of future leaders. Currently working with 83% of schools and early education centres in the Upper Clutha, WAI’s education programmes empower children and youth to care for local lakes and rivers, through hands-on workshops, outdoor fieldtrips and citizen science initiatives. So you know your ticket fees are going to a good place.
Sustainability has always been important to us. Through our partnership with WAI Wānaka, we’ve taken a pledge to understand and protect the water that flows through our festival. We strive to lead the way in modelling zero-waste, single use free events.
Here’s what we’re doing:
- We’ve created a sustainability plan with local recycling legends, Wastebusters.
- Each attendee receives a reusable cup for their cold drinks on the day, which they can take home with them. Top tip: bring yours back and receive $2.50 off your first drink!
- We purchased 3,000 plates and sets of stainless steel cutlery, which each and every vendor needs to use.
- Every coffee purchased is served in a reusable cup.
- You’ll only find recyclable items at our events – including our tokens. We’ve moved to reusable tokens, which you can use at any of the winerys.
- All food waste is gathered into separate bins, which is taken to the worm farm next door.
- 88.76% of all waste at last year’s festival was diverted from ending up in Landfill. We’re pretty pumped on that and are looking forward to making our way to 100%.
And what can you as a festival goer do, you may ask?
- Have your ticket saved on your phone (screenshot is fine!) to save printing.
- Bring back your usable Ripe cup this year (and receive $2.50 off your first drink from one of the three Ripe bars. MUST be a Ripe branded cup from a previous festival).
- Bring your own empty reusable water bottle – we have stations where you can refill these. Plus, the WAI team will also be walking around filling up glasses and bottles to help keep people hydrated.
- Get the bus – our good friends at Yello have buses to/from the event – book here.
- Carpool (with a sober driver), there’s plenty of on-site parking. Too easy.
- Or better yet, make a weekend out of it. Stay at the stunning Glendhu Bay Campground (handily located right across the road) and then just walk across. There’s an area specially designated for Ripe attendees and rumour has it that some of our food vendors are going to set up there for dinner by the lake.
Did you know March 22 is World Water Day? A key date in WAI’s calendar, they’ll be celebrating over a few days and locations (more info here) – including at Ripe. The WAI team will be keeping festival goers hydrated and have a stand with family-friendly activities. Swing by to chat about how you use the lakes and waterways, snap up a Freshwater Finders game, or learn more about Adopt a Drain, just look for the WAI flags.
So there you have it. To find out more about WAI Wānaka and the good work they are doing, head to https://waiwanaka.nz/. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
We can’t wait to see you on 22 March!
