Recycling targets surpassed

Recycling in the Wakatipu has surpassed expected targets with the equivalent of 11 Boeing 737’s in weight recycled in January alone, Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said.


In January the new centre processed a total of 347 tonnes. District-wide the diversion rate from the landfill in January this year was 29 percent; compared to 15 percent in January, 2007 (notably the diversion rate for Wanaka was 39 percent, the first time it has been over the 35 percent target).


“With such a huge commitment from our community we felt it was time to create an opportunity for people to come and see for themselves how the centre deals with all that recycling material,” Mr Borowy said.


The Wakatipu community was being invited to tour the new recycling centre at Frankton.


“We will have pre-booked weekly tours for small groups so if anyone or any group (including schools) would like to tour the centre please just get in touch with a council customer service advisor and they will make the arrangements,” Mr Borowy said.


It was a real positive for people to see how the material from their wheelie bins was being sorted, processed and recycled.


“The material then goes on to various markets with aluminium and steel cans, glass jars and bottles being processed in New Zealand and plastics, paper and cardboard processed overseas,” Mr Borowy said.


In particular the council was one of the few in New Zealand to recycle crushed grass in road making material.


To take a recycling tour call the council on 03 441 0499.