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Resource rescuers encourage better recycling while out and about

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PUBLISHED: 22 SEP 2022
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Resource rescuers encourage better recycling while out and about

NPDC has installed 14 Zero Waste Stations around the district – and they’re coming with some helpful friends.

NPDC staff will be at the new bin stations for the next two weeks during the busiest time of the day to help the public use the right bins for their waste.

“Having Zero Waste Stations available is one step in cutting down how much waste we send to the landfill,” says NPDC Manager Resource Recovery Kimberley Hope.  

“What’s really important is for people to put their waste in the right bin – if a bin has too many of the wrong items in it – such as dirty recyclable packaging – it’s contaminated, and all of the contents have to go to the landfill.”

For the first few weeks, NPDC staff acting as resource rescuers will be at the Zero Waste Stations during lunchtime, to give users some pointers.

“We see the benefit of staffing waste stations at events, where only a small percentage of waste goes to the landfill because users are helped to put their recycling in the right bin,” says Kimberley.

An audit earlier this year found that more than 63% of the materials in our public Zero Waste Stations could have been recycled or composted if they had been put in the right bins.

All of the district’s Zero Waste Stations have newly designed wraps to help people pick the right bin to use, along with a QR code to connect users to a webpage with more information.

The additional bins are in response to requests from residents and retailers, and have been installed in Waitara, Bell Block and New Plymouth’s CBD.


Fast facts:

  • NPDC looks after nearly 30 bin stations across the district.
  • The new Zero Waste Stations are funded through the national Waste Levy on every tonne of waste disposed to landfill, which is overseen by the Ministry for the Environment and administered by local councils.

 

Caption: NPDC Resource Recovery staff Oliver Leuthart and Kyla Mottershead.

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Page last updated: 10:38pm Mon 30 January 2023

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