Zero Waste: Community Business & Environment Centre (CBEC)

CBEC was formed in 1989 to stimulate local development by creating new
business and employment opportunities that are sustainable to the
environment.

The organisation has grown to become significant employers in the far North,
with over 4000 people gaining employment over the thirteen years of operation and an
combined annual turnover approaching $2 million.

CBEC has shown what can be achieved by combining social objectives with
business practice and a determination to overcome every barrier put in its
way.

CBEC’s annual employment equates to approximately 35 full-time job
equivalents, with $60,000 in salaries each month going into the local
economy.

Hundreds of acres of trees have been planted and approximately 250,000
cubic metres of waste diverted from landfill (over 13 years) with the image
of Kaitaia’s town (population of 10,000) enhanced by its role as a New
Zealand leader in waste reduction.

61% of Kaitaia’s waste currently goes through the recycling centre and only
39 percent to landfill. This means that council has an alternative to just
landfilling refuse.
Council make direct avoided disposal cost savings from the programme.

CBEC has carried out extensive cost analysis of the Kaitaia operation. It
comes down to simple economics, in the end, with the environmental
advantages and jobs the icing on the cake for Council.

At the recycling centre separation bins are clearly marked for approximately
15 different categories of recyclables accepted, cardboard, plastics, all
types of paper, tyres, cans, scrap metals, rags, clothing, and glass.

A revolve shop (Second Time Round) selling second hand wares was built by
CBEC and is run by a local family.

Today communities up and down the country invite CBEC to explain the Community enterprise model, and tell them how it was done.
CBEC has information that has been carefully collated and analysed over 11 years. It can show communities and groups how much recycling will cost, the cost benefits, how recycling
competes with conventional waste disposal and how to get started.

CBEC’s Waste Minimisation education programme ’Slash Trash’ has helped to
get CBEC’s name out in the community, with other councils now using the
programme.

CBEC’s aims remain the same as when the organisation was first formed
"Working in Our Community for Jobs and the Environment".

The highlight for the CBEC Board of Directors and staff is seeing the jobs
created and the organisations impact on waste reduction.

Contact:
CBEC
PO Box 503
Kaitaia
Phone: 09 408 1092
Email: