The introduction earlier this month of kerbside recycling at Wanaka is diverting four tonnes of waste per day from the landfill, Queenstown Lakes District Council waste manager Dr Linda Wright said.

"To have such an outstanding result so early into the campaign is really gratifying," Dr Wright said.

With only two weekly collections under their belt, Wanaka residents were already recycling to a high standard.

"It really is a credit to the community that they are sorting their recyclables to such a high level and that we have to deal with few contaminants. The community deserves a big pat on the back," Dr Wright said.

Meanwhile it was good news for the Wakatipu, the next focus of the council Waste Management Strategy.

"We will be in a position to put out the tender for building the Resource Recovery Park at Frankton in the next two weeks," Dr Wright said.

Construction of the park was expected to commence in February, which meant kerbside recycling would be introduced to the Wakatipu in June or July next year.

"The Wanaka campaign has been such a success, we are now really looking forward to recycling district-wide, including rural areas," Dr Wright said.

Wakatipu residents were able to enter into the swing of recycling by taking cardboard, paper, tins and cans, glass and plastics one and two to the Frankton transfer station, where a temporary recycling station has been established or to the Wakatipu Waste Recyclers.

"There is definitely a growing awareness in the Wakatipu. With kerbside recycling now well in hand in Wanaka, we are seeing an increase in people making the effort to recycle, despite not yet enjoying the convenience of a kerbside service," Dr Wright said.

The council would embark on an education campaign in the Wakatipu early next year, in particular, focusing on young members of the community.

"It's critical to get our young people recycling; they in turn encourage the rest of the family to get involved," she said.

In the countdown to kerbside recycling in the Wakatipu, Dr Wright said there were several convenient options that households could already get underway.

"Every home should have a composting facility; they can be purchased at any hardware store or easily constructed at home. Another option is to set up a worm farm. People need to get into the habit of separating their food waste from their other household waste and there is no time like the present to get started," Dr Wright said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Linda Wright 03 441 0499

By: Tamah