Resource Recovery Centres

A Resource Recovery Centre is a centralised point in the community where the public can drop off reuseable and recyclable items. Resource Recovery Centres vary greatly - from simple drop off stations in small rural areas through to large eco-industrial parks.

Unlike Transfer Stations, where materials are simply amalgamated for transfer to landfill, the aim of a Resource Recovery Centre is to maximise the recovery of value from the waste stream, by collecting materials in separate streams and by providing opportunities for refurbishing, repairing, remanufacturing and trading in recovered resources.

‘Resourceful Communities - A Guide to Resource Recovery Centres in New Zealand’ is a comprehensive look at the role and function of Resource Recovery Centres, and the key principles behind planning, designing and developing effective waste reduction facilities. Twelve Resource Recovery Centres, from Kaitaia to Dunedin, were visited to gather detailed, up-to-date information from the experts in the field. Their case studies are included, and provide invaluable information on new jobs and businesses created, resources saved from landfill, income generated, and physical assets such as buildings, land and equipment. Five overseas examples are also profiled, providing international perspectives on this rapidly growing and evolving sector of the waste minimisation industry.

This report has been produced with support from the Ministry for Economic Development, the Ministry for the Environment and Zero Waste New Zealand Trust.

Hard copies can be obtained from the Ministry for Economic Development.

Resourceful Communities: A guide to Resource Recovery Centres in New Zealand (PDF 1.8 MB)

Examples of Resource Recovery Centres

Public drop off centre
Russell's sea containers
Kaitaia's recycling wall
A recycling station model
Paraparamu Drop Off Centre

A Selection of Australian Reports

• From Waste to Wealth - Business opportunities for a resourceful Western Sydney
  This report identifies seven key infrastructure programs that will significantly reduce waste to landfill in Western Sydney.
  Download here (pdf 2MB).
  

• Drive Thru Recycling Centres
  This proposal recommends that a national network of Drive-Thru Recycling Centres be built in Australia. These would be nationally branded, clean, attractive and consumer friendly facilities.
  Download here (pdf 1.63MB)

• Case Studies on Product Take Back Schemes
  The Western Sydney Waste Board commissioned the National Centre for Design at RMIT to conduct a series of desktop surveys on take-back schemes operating around the world. These surveys were based upon the categories of materials most likely to be received at a typical Drive-Thru Recycling Centre.
  Download here (pdf, 184.61KB) 

• True Cost of Landfill - Queanbeyan Young
  This report examines how much material collected and processed through recycling and composting costs compared to the base case of all waste to landfill, in Queanbeyan Young, Australia.
  Download here (pdf, 66 KB)
  Information from the US Environmental Protection Agency
  Go to www.epa.gov/jtr/topics/eipres.htm  for detailed information about Eco- Industrial and Resource Recovery Park Resources. This website looks at various site plans, feasibility studies and the development of eco-industrial parks.