Recover resources

After separating our domestic waste at least 80% can be recovered and either recycled or composted. Several towns in New Zealand to have adopted Zero Waste are well on the way to reaching that goal - these include Opotiki, Raglan and Kaitaia.

In New Zealand a wide range of initiatives make up the resource recovery industry. See related pages for a range of Council and community group initiatives.

The Organic Fraction

The organic fraction of the waste stream is made up of garden and kitchen (food) waste.

Waste audits consistently show that approximately fifty percent of our household bins can contain food waste that could be recovered and composted.

The Ministry for the Environment has calculated that  "a 60% reduction in landfilled garden waste would bring total landfill volumes down by as much as 800,000 tonnes and save around $40 million in disposal costs each year."

The Dry Recyclables

The resources you collect for recycling are known as dry recyclables. These include materials such as paper & cardboard, aluminium & steel cans, glass and plastics.

Depending on facilities in your local area, these resources can either be collected from your kerbside or dropped off at a recycling station, otherwise known as a Resource Recovery Centre.

‘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)