By 2021, Western Bay of Plenty residents could be throwing away nearly 32,000 tonnes of rubbish annually – unless they upcycle their recycling.

That figure is based on a University of Canterbury estimate that each person produces an average of 640kg ‘municipal solid waste’, multiplied by the region’s predicted 2021 population of more than 49,700 residents.

Doing the right thing: Leighton Bonnar of Katikati is a keen recycler who appreciates the ability to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill that the Katikati facility provides.

Glass for roading
Ilze says the recycled products are used for different purposes. Paper or cardboard that goes through CHH/Full Circle goes to the Kawerau mill for re-pulping and recycling.

Cardboard handled by Reclaim in Auckland goes to an egg carton manufacturer, while plastics through Reclaim are exported to China.

“The exception here is Anchor non see-through plastic, which goes to an Auckland company and is made into bins and agricultural piping.

“Glass is recycled into glass products, with some being ground into fines and used in bitumen mixture for roading.              

“Most plastics have a recycling value and although some products are recycled in other districts, the lack of volume in the Western Bay, the restriction of the recycling sites and viable markets to transport them to means it is too expensive for council to collect and transport all recyclable plastics from its recycling centres.”

Cans and other products are compacted in a press at the Katikati Recycling Centre to reduce their bulk before transport.

Among the products not collected in the Western Bay are polystyrene and domestic glass such as windows, and food grade plastics such as ice cream containers and yoghurt pottles (No 3 to 7 plastics).

“Any items not accepted by the centres and rubbish illegally dumped are send to the transfer station at a cost to the ratepayer. We therefore try to enforce that no material or products are left at the centre that can’t be sent to a credible recycler.”

Ilze says kerbside rubbish collection and kerbside recycling is not a council-run activity or service, but is carried out by private contractors on a pre-paid basis.

“Our three community-based recycling centres allow the public, especially those who live rurally and may not have kerbside recycling services available, to bring their recyclables to the centres and keep them from going to landfill, being buried or burned on site.”

Public help
The public can help with the efficient running of the recycling centres by recognising that these are recycling centres and not tip or transfer stations, she says.

“They can do this by not bringing rubbish to the centres. We cannot recycle broken toys, polystyrene, nappies, brick-a-brac, ice-cream containers and other food grade plastics, clothes and sports equipment.

“People can help by bringing cleaned or rinsed and pre-squashed products with the lids and caps off, by flattening cardboard and by sorting their recyclables and not throwing all the recycling in one bag.

Popular council staffer Patrick Dunn is well known to Katikati and Athenree residents for his cheerful, friendly and helpful service at the recycle centres.

“Please do not co-mingle products. The best thing about our centres is that product is separated at source which gives it more value and makes it recyclable. If pane glass mixes with bottles the whole batch becomes unrecyclable.”

Council recycling centre staff are there to assist the public on what can and can’t be accepted, and to lend a hand where possible.

“Please don’t abuse them if they refuse to take items that are not listed, even if they have a recycling triangle on it. They are just doing their job and want to provide a pleasant experience for everyone that comes to the centres.

“They know that all unwanted items and rubbish discarded or hidden on site will need to be disposed of at the ratepayers cost. Staff welcome suggestions for improvement, but yelling at them because of your rates bill is not helpful,” says Ilze.