Waste reduction at Bells Beach

THIS year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach has improved upon last year’s waste diversion record, with nearly three-quarters of waste from the event being kept from landfill.

Surfing Victoria, the Surf Coast Shire, Rip Curl and the World Surf League (WSL) all worked together to ensure a diversion rate of 65 per cent last year, and improved that to 73 per cent this year.

This figure includes both materials sent for recycling and also organic materials that were composted and returned to gardens, parklands and the agricultural sector.

Surfing Victoria operations manager Pete Murphy said it was very encouraging to see such positive change.

“It was incredible to see everyone band together and put in extra effort to divert materials away from landfill.

“We have been working strongly with our food vendors, suppliers and partners to ensure that all food products purchased are served in containers that can be composted and have seen the general public really get behind it.”

The improvement has come from a mixture of reduction in packaging from suppliers and an increase in compostable waste.

Surf Coast Shire councillor David Bell said it was great that the Surf Coast could set an example with the global spotlight upon them.

“It was fantastic to see the compostable packaging, and then to see spectators making the right choice and disposing of their waste correctly.

“Well done to Surfing Victoria and WSL on leading the way with this important environmental initiative.”

In 2019, organics recycling (food waste and compostable packaging) was trialled in the events public area for the first time. In previous years organics diversion was undertaken in the controlled back of house athlete and staff catering area.

The trial undertook new bin branding and signage grouping bins into stations. These stations allowed event patrons the flexibility to make an environmentally conscious decision.

The success of the public organics bins was reflected in disposal data which saw a 13 per cent (2.67 tonnes) increase on the previous year’s organics diversion, with a total of 3.42 tonnes diverted in 2019 – up from 0.75 tonnes in 2018.

Rip Curl chief brand and marketing officer Neil Ridgway said the Rip Curl Pro had always been conservation minded.

“Back in the old days competitors had to plant a tree to compete.

“Alongside Surfing Victoria and the Surf Coast Shire we worked really hard in the ASP days to be ‘Waste Wise’ accredited and to separate garbage and recycling with great results.

“Along the way we had various carbon offset programs for competitors and of course were highly focused on protection of the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve.

“Now that the WSL are in charge we see the same strides moving forward. And with WSL Pure concentrating on Bells, we are sure it will be even bigger.”

The WSL has recently announced a new set of sustainability commitments.

These aim to inspire, educate and empower ocean lovers while addressing critical environmental issues.

For more information on their commitment, head to worldsurfleague.com.