Businesses encouraged to join Waste Exchange 

Hastings District Council is one of 22 Council’s around the country that supports the national Waste Exchange. The recycling initiative began in 1999 and is coordinated by the Waikato Regional Council.

The online service has recently undergone a revamp and a new push has begun to get more businesses to sign up and increase public awareness of the recycling operation. The exchange aims to be a one stop shop where businesses can list unwanted material and all members of the community can access the reusable material and find information about local recyclers. Over 900 businesses have signed up to the Waste Exchange which will help improve their waste management and minimisation programmes. 

Hastings District Council Waste Minimisation Officer Angela Atkins says “The Waste Exchange has been very successful over many years in recycling a wide range of material that is no longer required by a particular company and would otherwise end up in the landfill.”
Some of the benefits which can come from using the exchange for recycling include:
·         businesses save on the disposal costs of waste material
·         businesses show support for community groups, schools and early childhood centres by registering recyclable items
·         provides a simple access point from where reusable material can be sourced

Angela Atkins says “The Waste Exchange website has had a complete makeover and is now far more user friendly. This service is available to all businesses and industry and may be used by non-profit organisations, schools and individuals to locate materials they require.”
Mrs Atkins says “There is a great saying that describes the Waste Exchange perfectly: ‘one person’s waste is another person’s treasure’.”

Some of the types of material which has been listed in the past include plastic, timber, pallets, polystyrene and chilly bins. Users are encouraged to list their recyclable material at no or very low cost.

To find out more about the Waste Exchange, or to register with the service go to: http://www.nothrow.co.nz/

ENDS

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