$4.7M Upgrade Boosts Taupō Waste Recovery, Diverts 8,000 Tonnes from Landfill

Thousands of tonnes of waste will be diverted from landfill with a $4.7 million upgrade to waste recovery facilities in Taupō, Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg announced today.

A $2.3 million investment from the Waste Minimisation Fund, combined with equal funding from the Taupō District Council, will boost recovery and processing at the Broadlands Road Resource Recovery Centre.

The current facility’s limited waste diversion capabilities mean skip and bin trucks go straight to landfill. After the upgrade, loads will be inspected and waste sorted by disposal class, diverting at least 8,000 tonnes of waste from landfill by the end of the first year of operations.

The diverted material will include organic waste, construction and demolition waste, and other recyclable materials.

We’re committed to reducing the volume of waste going to landfills by investing in waste reduction, recycling and reuse. This significant investment allows another council to achieve its waste minimization goals, divert more waste from landfill, and reduce emissions associated with the disposal of organic material.

It will also give residents opportunities to recycle a wider range of materials, reduce household and business costs, and promote sustainability.

Economic benefits for the district will include reduced landfill costs through waste levy savings and emissions trading scheme charges. It will also open market opportunities for the reuse of materials.

We are fixing the basics and building the future by investing in environmental tools that help councils, communities, and industry to take action where it matters most, Ms Grigg says.