The visionary behind beloved Kiwi brand Pic's Peanut Butter is gearing up to make a big statement on World Car Free Day.
Pic Picot will close the carpark of his peanut roastery and tourist attraction, Pic's Peanut Butter World, next Friday to nudge Kiwis to rethink their transport habits.
A passionate environmentalist, Picot will block the entrance to the Whakatū Nelson landmark with the iconic giant Pic's jar and will be stationed outside from early morning to symbolically stop cars from entering.
He'll also be dishing out special peanut butter prize packs to the first 50 guests that arrive on foot, by bus, bike or scooter, and staff will be shouted a free coffee if they arrive car-less on the day.
Another climate-positive business, the Gentle Cycling Company, will join the initiative by hosting slow bike races in the Pic's Peanut Butter World carpark, encouraging customers to embrace the alternative mode of transport.
Picot said he's trying to reshape transportation habits and wants Nelsonians to give their cars a well-deserved break.
"Let's ditch the cars and enjoy some peace and quiet on the roads, all while giving our planet some much-needed TLC," said Picot.
"If everyone in Nelson leaves their cars at home next Friday, we'll save over 350 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and if peanut butter bribery is what it takes, then fine by me."
Since 1990, New Zealand has doubled its carbon emissions from transport alone. Almost half of Aotearoa New Zealand's car trips are less than 6km long, equivalent to under 10 minutes on the bus and 15 minutes on an e-bike.
World Car Free Day is just one element of Picot's plan to make his business more sustainable. The company is a certified B Corp, carbon zero. It operates the country's first solar-powered peanut roastery. It's also a founding member of a local startup initiative, Refill Revolution, which inspires food producers and businesses to adopt refill and reusable strategies into their packaging and waste processes.
Beyond that, Picot is also currently restoring a 13-acre wetland in Marahau, planting native plants, and is hoping to work with a local carbon management programme, Ekos, to one day use his swamp for carbon offsetting.
"We may be one peanut butter company at the bottom of the planet, but we're proving that change knows no boundaries. Every little step counts, and World Car Free Day is a great way to do our bit."
