MACKENZIE DISTRICT COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

Enthusiasm for Recycling Prompts Move to New Sorting Facility

15 August 2016

Mackenzie District Council recycling is now being sorted in Christchurch after a review of the current system.

Until recently the district’s recycling had been transported to the Twizel Resource Recovery Park for sorting. However, a steady increase in the volume of recycling and issues with the sorting process prompted a decision by Council’s contractor to start using EcoCentral, a large mechanical sorting facility in Christchurch also used by other Canterbury councils.

“We’re confident we’ll be able to maximise the amount of material that is separated and recycled using this new facility. This gives us increased capacity to recycle more,” says Mackenzie District Council solid waste manager, Angie Taylor.

“Envirowaste has done a fantastic job of sorting our recycling locally, often in harsh hot and cold conditions. However, the increase in the volume of recycling meant we needed to re-assess our approach.”

Ms Taylor says Mackenzie District Council residents are enthusiastic recyclers and this is a great thing for the district.

“Our residents are doing a fantastic job of recycling. However, this also means we have more material to sort and our current system wouldn’t be able to keep up with future demand.”

In 2015, the Council recycled 377 tonnes of recycling collected from yellow wheelie bins – about the weight of 9 Boeing 737 planes. Ms Taylor says the district can do even better.

“We want to encourage people to keep recycling as much as they can and to take pride in their recycling. As our slogan goes: ‘Mackenzie – too good to waste – recycle’,” says Ms Taylor.

Most of the council’s recycling is picked up in kerbside recycling. Recycling can also be dropped off at the resource recovery parks in Tekapo, Fairlie and Twizel.

Recycling tips

• Most Mackenzie residents are great at getting the right items in their yellow recycling bin but some bins are contaminated with food waste, glass and other rubbish. This can ruin clean recycling and means it is sent to landfill rather than recycled.

• If you’re unsure what can go in your yellow recycling bin – check under the lid for a handy reference list or feel free to contact the Council.

• Remember, all glass goes in the blue crate.

ENDS

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