Kerbside collection trucks with something to say

New recycling and rubbish trucks have hit the streets with strong messages about looking after our environment and being responsible with rubbish and waste.

The messages and graphics of iconic local scenery are being printed on the side of new kerbside rubbish and recycling collection trucks.

Slogans like “Gizzy pride…put it kerbside” came from local people after Council ran a Facebook competition last year.

The new collection trucks have been brought into the district by rubbish and recycling collection contractors Waste Management. Waste Management took over from the former Transpacific Industries company last year.

“The new recycling trucks work very differently from the old ones” says Dwayne Pomana, Council’s waste engineer.

“Previously the waste from your bin was emptied onto a sorting table between the truck cab and the bulk sorting compartments. These trucks required three people to operate them.

“A number of the new trucks operate a sorting system on the outside of the truck.

“They’re left hand drive vehicles and the driver stops, picks up your bin and sorts recyclables which are lifted into separated compartments on the truck.”

“The great thing is that the same staff are the mainstay of Gisborne’s waste and recycling,” says Ashley Williams - the local Waste Management manager who has worked at the Innes Street site since 2000.

“Many of the staff have been here since the start. They really love their jobs and are proud to be part of Gisborne’s really successful recycling record.”

Mr Williams says there are some things people should remember when sorting their recycling to make our jobs safer and improve our efficiency, especially with the new trucks.

Sort out recyclables from your rubbish

• Make sure they are safely put in your bin to protect the collection staff – no broken glass, sharps or hazardous material

• Make sure you use a bin that has come from council.

• Cardboard and paper can be secured separately in a bag or box

• If you have two bins, separate your glass into one bin

• Wash and squash containers and plastics

• Don’t put meat trays, plastic bags, plastic wrapping or plastic that doesn’t have the recycling symbol

• No toys, kitchenware or computer parts.

Mayor Meng Foon thanks the Waste Management team who do a great job in all weathers, and acknowledges the commitment by our community to recycling.

ENDS

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