Recycling comes under the spotlight on 'Wasted Bus Tour'

Did you know that all councils are required to regularly review the way waste is handled in their district?

The Hastings District Council “Wasted Bus Tour” provides residents with a valuable opportunity to find out what is currently done with waste and what changes could be proposed.

The FREE bus tour includes a visit to the Henderson Road Transfer Station, Transpacific AllBrite recycling in Onekawa, Omaranui Landfill, Bio Rich Awatoto Composting Facility and the East Clive Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Councillor Tania Kerr says “dealing with the district’s waste is a core responsibility of Council but it’s vital residents understand how important it is to carefully dispose of their rubbish.”

“We need people to think about the most responsible way of disposing of waste before just chucking it in the bin; could it be recycled or maybe it’s organic waste which could be put into the compost or taken to a green waste facility.”

Many Hastings residents are taking the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” message seriously, with 4000 tonnes of kerbside recycling and 2500 tonnes through the recycling centres in 2010.That’s equivalent to packing the Opera House plaza from floor to ceiling five times over with waste.

The “Wasted Bus Tour” will be able to cater for 40 people who need to bring a packed lunch for a picnic on Marine Parade, sturdy covered shoes, a water bottle and a warm jacket.

To book for the tour on Saturday May 21 call Hastings District Council on 871 5047 or email susd@hdc.govt.nz . For more information go to www.susd.org.nz

Draft Tour Programme:

9am: Gather at the Hastings District Council building in Lyndon Road for a safety briefing.

9.30: Henderson Rd Refuse Transfer Station and Recycling Depot – get up close and personal with “The Pit” where landfill destined trucks get filled.

10.15: Transpacific AllBrite Onekawa: Go behind the scenes of Hawke’s Bay’s recycling giant to see how tonnes of plastic, paper and glass have a happy ending.

11.15: Omaranui Landfill - Have morning tea on us before touring the landfill, one of New Zealand’s leading edge landfills using international best practice to dispose of Hastings’ and Napier’s waste.

1pm: Picnic lunch on Marine Parade.

1.30: Bio-Rich Awatoto Composting Facility - See how a Hawke’s Bay company is turning green waste and commercial by-products into compost that is sure to help your garden grow.

2.30: East Clive Waste Water Treatment Plant – see how Hastings District Council turns what you flush into almost crystal clear water before it goes into Hawke Bay.

4.00: Tour concludes at Hastings District Council Building in Lyndon Road.