
Waste & Sustainability - Fast Facts



2013 Festival:
- Tasmanian Scouts began supporting the festival with cleaning and recycling efforts and assisting at events.
2015-2019 Festivals:
- A “Waste Reduction Program” was initiated in 2015 in collaboration with the Scouts and sponsored by Dick Smith.
- During this time, significant improvements were made through increasing recyclable recovery and reducing landfill waste.
2023 Festival:
- Compostable recycle bins were introduced.
- 80 council-sized (240-litre) bins were distributed across the 1.3-kilometre site at Sullivans Cove, Hobart.
- Collaboration with Abel-Pakk led to impressive recycling outcomes:
- Over 10 tons of compost created.
- 15+ tons of organics diverted from landfill.
- Over 1,050 bags of compost generated.
- 7,650 kilograms of carbon emissions were avoided.
- The “Sort it out for the Scouts” program:
- Reduced waste to landfill by 28,000 litres.
- Increased compostable waste streaming to 57,600 litres.
- Reduced general waste by 21.54%.
2025 Festival:
- The AWBF will continue its partnership with Tasmanian Scouts for waste management.
- In 2025, there will be a focus on compostable recycling efforts as a tangible contribution to environmental sustainability.
- Scouts will guide festival-goers on proper waste sorting at designated stations.
Waste & Sustainability - The Full Story
By Waste Management Coordinator, Kelvin Aldred
Since the 2013 Wooden Boat Festival, Tasmanian Scouts have played a vital role supporting the festival, from cleaning and recycling efforts to assisting with dedicated events and attending to the boat owners’ welcome functions with food table services.
The 2015 Festival was a special time in progressing waste management with the strong collaboration with the Scouts. The initiative was titled “Waste Reduction Program.”
A Festival wide waste reduction program commenced during the festival, ensuring recycle materials were kept out of general waste and put into special recycle bins.
The clean-up sponsor of the 2015 Festival was Entrepreneur, Adventurer and Aviator, Dick Smith.
You can imagine the joy and happiness of the Scouts faces as Dick Smith visited the site to meet the clean-up teams of Scouts, Cubs and Joeys.
The Hobart Mercury newspaper carried a special article following the festival, showing Dick Smith greeting the teams dressed in their special “Waste Reduction Program” Hi Vis vests.
Since the 2015 Festival, huge efforts by the Festival and Scouts have seen enormous improvements in the number of recyclables recovered, and land fill waste fall significantly.
The 2023 Festival saw the introduction of compostable recycle bins for the first time. Bins specially designed for food waste, compostable food and drink packaging, food scraps, coffee cups and lids, and even compostable wine and beer glasses.
In 2023, there were 80 Council sized 240 litre compostable bins distributed across the 1.3-kilometre site length of the Festival at Sullivan Cove, Hobart.
Working in conjunction with recycle materials company Abel-Pakk, and encouraged by the management of Abel Pakk, the recovery rates of recycled compostable materials was simply amazing.
Over ten tons of compost was created, and in total over fifteen tons of organics was diverted from land fill. Plus, over 1,050 bags of compost were generated.
Managing Director of Abel-Pakk Craig McLaren, congratulated the Festival and Scouts on avoiding 7,650 kilograms of carbon emissions from the efforts.
Our 2025 Wooden Boat Festival will actively progress compostable recycling efforts, making a tangible contribution to our planet.