Wanaka Wastebusters

Report on Zero Waste New Zealand Trust funding for a project to improve the resource recovery centre in Wanaka.
By Jude Battson.

A large shed was constructed in addition to the current resource recovery centre, in November 2001, primarily to store cardboard. Major issues for Wanaka Wastebusters include storage of materials and high freighting costs of materials (because they are located so far from a port).

The building is a 13m x 6m corrugated colour steel construction and has a concrete base. It looks much like a farm implement shed and is located close to the main building for easy transferring of bales.

Previously there was a make-shift rough as office on the plant floor and dust was a great problem. A truck and trailer load of cardboard in our building left staff with little room so the storage shed has made a huge impact on space for operations.

The main building constructed in 2000 (Zero Waste New Zealand Trust donated $15,000) also has an addition of an office/staffroom/washroom. Winter of 2000 was a record breaking freezing cold one with temperatures as low as -9 with 23 frosts in a row. Gruelling to say the least and in the big 20m x 20m building with no warm lunchroom it was a challenge for the staff. They turned up daily and worked hard to keep warm. So, the addition has been most welcomed.

The local community have embraced recycling with enthusiasm. As we are located next to the transfer station, owned by council, we operate the same hours of 11.30 - 3.30. Of interest is the second hand shop. There is no second hand shop in Wanaka, therefore Wanaka Wastebusters second hand department is very busy and has been likened to a community centre. Wanaka Watebusters record day for income with sales from the second hand department amounted to $540. (In 2001 Wanaka Wastebusters made $70,000 from sales in their second hand shop alone).

Wanaka's population is about 4,000 and is the fastest growing town in New Zealand. We have estimated to have diverted 10% of waste from the 3,000 tonne that went into the landfill from Wanaka in one year.

Wanaka Wastebusters next project is to develop a kerbside collection. The Queenstown Lakes District Council has a new team of elected representatives who are environmentally conscious.

Wanaka Wastebusters now has 5 full time staff, 2 part time staff and of course the volunteers who of course make all the difference.

Funded $10,000 in February 2001