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Households who are producing extra recyclable waste during quarantine or are concerned about where their waste is going are encouraged to save it up.
Mahurangi Wastebusters chair Simon Barclay says like many businesses, the transfer station operation is suffering from a negative cash flow.
Wastebusters was generously supported by social loans from the community when it opened, which have kept the business afloat during the quarantine.
“We were hoping to start paying them back, but we have been relying on that money to get through,” Simon says.
He anticipates that during the quarantine a number of households will make use of the time by having a big clean up. He says residents are encouraged to bring their recyclable waste to Wastebusters when it reopens.
“People who believe in what we are doing can save as much of their plastic, glass, cardboard, paper, metal and wood waste as they want to bring to us. It would be great if that didn’t go into the bin.”
It is also important to separate the different types of items so that recycling is efficient. It is even better if different colours of glass are separated.
“One major challenge is that prices for recyclable materials have collapsed, and we have had to ask people to help us by paying a bit to dispose of their recyclable waste.”
Mahurangi Wastebusters charges $2 for up to 140 litres of recycling or $15 per square metre (paper, card, glass, cans, plastic #1 & #2). A full price list is at mahurangiwastebusters.nz.
Wastebusters is also not wasting any time during quarantine and is working on a number new projects.
It is investigating the possibility of receiving food waste, running an inorganic collection service, and getting shops set up at its refuse stations in Snells Beach and Wellsford.
“We want to continue serving the community and increase the rate of diversion of waste from landfill. We are champing at the bit to get going again after the quarantine,” Simon says.
