A $1.6 million government grant has been made to increase the number of recycling facilities for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Funding for the Glass Packaging Forum has been announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith for 12 regions hosting matches.
Dr Smith says the Government wants to minimise the impacts on the environment of the largest event in New Zealand's history.
More than 700 recycling bins for glass, plastic and cans will be installed at stadiums, fan zones, main streets, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, campsites and popular tourist attractions in each of the 12 regions.
The "Love NZ" initiative is being funded by $1.6 million from the Government's Waste Minimisation fund and $440,000 from the Glass Packaging Forum.
"My hope is to attract a further $1 million from councils and industry in the 12 regions hosting the games to enable more recycling facilities to be installed and I will be writing today to mayors to try and secure this additional support," Dr Smith said.
Forum general manager John Webber says New Zealand will host more than 85,000 visitors who will expect to find recycling facilities at stadiums and fan zones.
Mr Webber says one of the most common complaints by tourists is that there are not enough recycling options and too much rubbish and litter.
The project is set to reduce container waste to landfill by up to 20%, he says.
The Environment Ministry says increasing recycling facilities at the World Cup will also encourage people to recycle more in their everyday life.
Its director of operations, Martin Pinckard, says leading up to the tournament the public will be challenged to think more about recycling.
