Wanaka Wastebusters is a resource recovery based community enterprise, owned by, and operated for the benefit of local residents. We felt so strongly about waste and inefficient resource use in our community that we built our own resource recovery centre. After 5 years successful operation we won the tenders for Kerbside collection in our area.

Wanaka Wastebusters operate two recyclable material collections services;

• Kerbside Household Collection
• Local business collections

The kerbside collections have been operating very successfully since September 2005. More information about the materials collected and the times and area where it is collected can be found on the Wanaka Wastebusters Website

Business collections have been operating for a number of years with the number of business served increasing every week. WWB have moved their operation from a small truck to a much larger on with a tail lift. More information about this service can be found at The Community Recyclers of Otago's Website

Wanaka Wastebusters (WWB) best tool for education is their own staff working at their site and out on the street as they collect the recyclables. Over 65,000 people visit the centre per year. Waste education to these people includes daily conversations with customers and visitors about all things pertaining to waste and the environment in general. This also includes an especially designated area for the display of relevant waste stats and information, brochures, waste photographs etc.

Relationships with schools within the district are being fostered and Wanaka Wastebusters is able to respond to requests for visits and presentations. This includes participation in projects like sustainable week at the secondary school.

Waste education is given to businesses when they begin to receive commercial collections service; this includes overall discussions about waste minimisation / procurement, waste separation, systems, waste flow and storage.

WWB are currentlydeveloping an education package which can be used at events.

WWB deliver an 'informal' waste education programme to the greater community through regular notices and tips in the local newspaper, press releases etc.

Another local community organisation Sustainable Wanaka has been funded through a 3 year MfE/Ministry of tourism pilot project, building sustainability in local tourism businesses, this includes a waste component and has resulted in a number of new Business Collections customers.

Sue Coutts
PO Box 16
Wanaka
9343
Tel: 03 443 8606
Fax: 03 443 8636
Mob: 027 322 9675
[email protected]
www.wanakawastebusters.co.nz