Remarkable push for sustainability
From its beginning in 2010, Remarkables Market has had a sustainability focus and continues work on its ‘Journey Towards Zero Waste’ finding new ways to reduce and remove items from the waste stream.
In 2018 a cup stand, with ceramic cups purchased from local charity shops, was built to encourage people to use ceramic cups instead of paper cups. This remains one of the most photographed items at the Market, visitors from all over the world love it!
With only 20% of takeaway cups being diverted from landfill, in 2019 Remarkables Market became the first market in New Zealand to go Single Use Cup (SUC) Free. Thanks to a dishwasher and small shed investment, all coffee carts serve drinks in ceramic cups, all juices are served in recycled glass jars. Market staff collect dirties, wash and redistribute clean items back to the stallholders ready for reuse.
Another New Zealand first in 2023 saw Remarkables Market ban all disposable serveware. Thanks to an upgraded kitchen being put on site and a grant for a second dishwasher from the QLDC Waste Minimisation Fund, all food items are now served on washable plates with metal cutlery. DISHrupt (an offshoot of Sustainable Queenstown) use the market as a storage facility for their dishes, in return allowing the market use of these on a Saturday.
Changes have been incremental but add up to something substantial and provide pause for sustainability conversations by stallholders, market visitors and Queenstown businesses. The Red Barn is an old airport hangar, much of the grounds have recovered trees, and the playground and pergolas have been provided new homes. Hand dryers have been installed in the market toilets to replace paper towels. Compost bins are utilised by the landscaping team for reuse on the market gardens, and stallholders are encouraged to use recyclable containers and eliminate use of plastic and single use items.
The Red Barn is now becoming a venue outside of the market and potential hirers are encouraged to make their event single serveware free.
Remarkables Market, loved by locals and visitors alike, runs every Saturday 9am-2pm from late September through to April. It’s just off Hawthorne Drive in Frankton (follow the signs). With a backdrop of the Remarkables mountain range, grab a coffee, sit down with friends, relax and enjoy the view and the market vibe.
