Tole Super Bowl Skate Competition
- Event Type: Community
- Description: Young Guns Skate School hosted theTole Super Bowl Skate Competition
- Size: 300 people
- Location: Tole Reserve, Ponsonby, Auckland
- Waste Separation: Compostables, Recycling, Landfill, and Food Waste
Overview
The Tole Super Bowl brings the skateboarding community together at one of New Zealand’s most iconic bowls. The unique layout, combined with custom-designed obstacles, allows some of the country’s best skateboarders to showcase their skills. Skateboarders from as far as Wanaka attended, while local Ponsonby residents, families, and friends joined to support the event. The skate community takes pride in keeping the Tole Street Bowl clean, and as part of this effort, Young Guns Skate School decided to make this a Zero Waste event.
How they did:
1 Reduce incoming waste
Before the event, Young Guns Skate School encouraged skaters to keep the park tidy and take care of the space, an easy message to convey, as most skaters already take great pride in the bowl. For future events, they see an opportunity to promote bringing reusable drink bottles to further reduce waste.
2 Choose the right bin
The organisers took proactive steps to minimise waste generation at the event. Thanks to the support of Auckland Council’s Zero Waste Events programme, clearly labelled bins were provided to encourage proper waste disposal. Strategically placed waste stations made it easy for attendees to sort their rubbish. Existing rubbish bins at the park were covered with bin covers to prevent confusion. Volunteers monitored and regularly changed bin bags throughout the event to prevent overflow. Waste was sorted into relevant bags during the event when bags were being changed. After the event, the rubbish was transported to the Waitākere Refuse and Recycling Centre in West Auckland.
3 Let people know
Signage on the bins provided clear guidance on what waste should go where. The event emcee also played a key role in reinforcing waste management messages, making regular announcements about the importance of keeping the area tidy. At times, they also offered prizes to those who picked up the most rubbish.
4 Capture feedback
A shortage of rubbish bins at skateparks, combined with the fact that many skateboarders like to travel by skateboard with minimal baggage can lead to a lot of waste at skate events. Despite this, the skate community’s long-standing commitment to maintaining their skateparks contributed to waste reduction efforts at the Tole Super Bowl. Many attendees actively participated in keeping the venue clean, with some even helping to pick up rubbish throughout and after the event. The organisers found that having clearly marked bins made waste disposal much easier for everyone. For future events, they plan to add additional waste stations to further improve accessibility.
Key Messages:
- Providing well-placed, clearly labelled bins makes waste disposal easier for attendees.
- Community pride plays a significant role in successful zero waste events.
- Regular announcements and signage help reinforce zero waste goals.
Key Learnings:
- The skateboarding community values clean and well-maintained spaces, making them receptive to zero waste initiatives.
- A strong community effort, combined with clear waste management systems, leads to a successful waste reduction strategy.
- For future events, additional waste stations could make rubbish disposal even more convenient for attendees.
The Tole Super Bowl successfully demonstrated how a community-driven event can embrace Zero Waste principles while maintaining a fun and well-organised competition. Young Guns Skate School is committed to continuing these efforts in future events, ensuring that their skate parks remain a clean and well-respected space for skaters and the wider community.
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