Today (Tuesday) marks a milestone for Wanaka recycling, Queenstown Lakes District Council acting solid waste manager Dr Linda Wright said.

"Two significant contracts have been signed today cementing the future delivery of kerbside recycling and processing for Wanaka, by local operator Wanaka Wastebusters" Dr Wright said.

Council let the contract for the Wanaka kerbside recycling collection service in September last year.  Once collected the recyclable materials are delivered to Wanaka Wastebusters for sorting and baling before being transported to various markets in New Zealand and overseas.  "Wanaka Wastebusters have been processing these materials on a month by month basis but today formalised that contract for another four years, giving surety of the service into the future," Dr Wright said.

The signing of both contracts today between the council and Wanaka Wastebusters formalises the delivery of kerbside collection and processing of recycled material in Wanaka.

"In total the contracts are worth $540,000, the cost of which has already been factored into the Wanaka rates. As we promoted during consultation over the implementation of the service, that's about the cost of a cup of coffee, per week, per household," Dr Wright said.

Today's signing ceremony was cause for further celebration given the huge success story behind the already popular service.

"The Wanaka community has recycled an incredible 1,568 tonnes in the past 12 months. That's equivalent to 700 large shipping containers a year or 13 a week which would otherwise be going to landfill. It's a fantastic achievement," Dr Wright said.

The recycled materials are converted into a range of products. For example plastic is converted into clothing made of poly prop or fleece and into a range of other products such as recycling crates, wheelie bins, worm farms, compost bins, outdoor furniture, rubbish bags, buckets, pipes, mud flaps, traffic calming equipment, pot plants, crates and pallets.

Aluminium and steel cans are turned into more aluminium and steel cans and most newspapers are remade from recycled paper.

Council and Wanaka Wastebusters are encouraging all residents, holiday makers and commercial operators to maximise recycling over the Christmas holiday period.

ENDS

For further information please contact Dr Wright 03 441 0499 or 03 4502220.

By: Sarah