16 August 2011

Recycling made easier in central Auckland

Look out for new LoveNZ recycling bins in key public places around the central city, making it easier for both Aucklanders and visitors to recycle.

The new bins, organised by Auckland Council and Waterfront Auckland with funding from the Ministry for the Environment and the Glass Packaging Forum, supplement a number of LoveNZ recycling bins installed in the Auckland region by former councils along with 20 bins recently installed by Auckland Airport.

Once the extra inner city bins are all installed a total of 165 LoveNZ-branded recycling bins will be found in public places around Auckland including outside the Britomart Transport Centre and the Auckland Ferry Terminal, in the Viaduct area, Queen Street, Aotea Square, Wynyard Quarter, Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket.

In addition Auckland Tourism, Events, and Economic Development (ATEED) is organising 376 mobile recycling bins for use at Rugby World Cup 2011 events such as the Auckland opening celebration and in high foot-traffic locations including the Fanzones, Fan Trail and the areas surrounding Eden Park and North Harbour Stadium. The stadia has also independently arranged for over 200 LoveNZ event recycling bins.

The bins are being introduced as part of the Ministry for the Environment's nationwide LoveNZ programme, which is being managed and supported by the Glass Packaging Forum and backed by a major advertising campaign co-sponsored by industry.

LoveNZ has an ambitious national target of collecting an additional 9000 tonnes of glass, plastic and cans from public places this year. On a per capita basis, Auckland's share is the equivalent of recycling around 12 million beer bottles, 74 million plastic bottles and 16 million cans.

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, who recently helped launch the programme in Auckland, says the roll-out of LoveNZ recycling bins is one of many initiatives that will ensure Auckland shines during Rugby World Cup 2011 and beyond.

"We need to put on our best face during this once in a lifetime opportunity to host visitors from all over the world and I believe our involvement in the LoveNZ programme will help achieve that."

Rachael Dacy, Chair of the RWC 2011 Auckland Coordination Group says waste minimisation is one of the key environmental sustainability goals for Rugby World Cup 2011.

Energy efficiency, sustainable procurement and sustainable transport initiatives are other areas of focus. The latter includes providing free event public transport with a match ticket and increasing public transportation services to boost usage of more environmentally friendly alternatives to private vehicles such as taking a train or bus, walking or sharing a taxi.

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