Brainstorming waste issues

University of Otago commerce students Tanh Tran (left), Ha Ngan Ha and Lynn Chu create environmental lesson plans for children with Dunedin City Council waste minimisation officer Leigh McKenzie at Waste Jam yesterday.

Throughout the weekend about 60 people went to the Otago Polytechnic Hub for the event during which participants discussed issues about waste and developed initiatives for dealing with those problems.

They were encouraged to seek funding for their ideas.

The weekend was broken up with various presentations and a "human library" of 20 experts in various fields were available for advice.

Event co-facilitator Alice March said there was nothing else like the event in the country.

"It focuses on collaboration and building on existing expertise. We had a diverse range of people who ... developed new ideas."