| 3 “Zero waste is both our past and our future. We’ve worked hard to achieve our current diversion rates, and now we’re focused on closing the final gap. By working collectively, we can achieve the last 20 to 25%.” Xtreme Zero Waste Leading the way to zero waste Founded by local families enthusiastic about sustainability, Xtreme Zero Waste has grown into an integral part of the Whāingaroa community. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Xtreme Zero Waste, Raglan’s community-driven recycling service and resource-recovery centre, is this year celebrating 25 years of sustainable waste minimisation and management solutions. Since it started in 2000, this trailblazing charitable trust has worked tirelessly towards its goal of a zero-waste future, diverting an impressive 75% to 80% of the region’s waste from landfill. Founded by local families enthusiastic about sustainability, Xtreme Zero Waste has grown into an integral part of the Whāingaroa community. Partnering with the Waikato Regional and District Councils, the Ministry for the Environment, Wel Networks, and Trust Waikato, and other philanthropic organisations, the initiative has thrived. Xtreme Zero Waste runs a kerbside collection service four days a week, covering Raglan and surrounding rural areas on contract to the district council. Through its extensive kerbside waste and recycling services, foodscrap collections, garden- waste processing, business collections and waste audits, the organisation has set a national benchmark for waste minimisation. Two co-founders of Xtreme Zero Waste will mark their own quarter of a century of service: Rick Thorpe, who is currently supporting Auckland Council to establish a network of resource recovery centres throughout the city, and Liz Stanway, who has been part of the Xtreme team for 25 years, championing the organics yard and setting up the dedicated food- scrap service and composting initiative. “Zero waste is both our past and our future,” says, Xtreme Zero Waste spokesperson Jemma Hovelmeier. “We’ve worked hard to achieve our current diversion rates, and now we’re focused on closing the final gap. By working collectively, we can achieve the last 20 to 25%.” The organisation also manages New Zealand’s first dedicated food-scrap collection service, a model that has since inspired other cities like Tauranga and Auckland. “Food-scrap collection is a very sustainable service, and it’s great if you don’t have the space nor the time to have your own compost heap – just put them out for collection and we’ll take care of the composting.” At the heart of the food scraps operation is Xtreme Zero Waste’s Organics Yard, home to a 30-metre horizontal composting unit. Here, the food scraps are combined with shredded green waste to produce nutrient-rich compost over 12 weeks. “We’ve created a closed-loop system that turns organic waste into valuable compost for local gardens and farms,” Jemma says. Xtreme Zero Waste’s business collection hub provides tailored landfill and recycling solutions for local enterprises. This includes comprehensive waste audits to find waste sources and implement T T Bernadette Cooney waste-reduction strategies. Kaahu’s Nest is the craftily curated reuse shop at Xtreme Zero Waste’s 186 Te Hutewai Road Resource Recovery Centre. Here you will find all manner of pre-loved treasures to reuse or re-purpose – from fabric to furniture, housewares to wood and metal. Kaahu’s Nest is also the hub for compost sales by the bag, or bulk scoop for trailers. With a dedicated team of 35 staff members, including drivers, collectors, mechanics, and educators, Xtreme Zero Waste looks forward to the next 25 years of making a meaningful contribution to the sustainability sector. Please call us or make an enquiry at: www.pinkbins.co.nz ProudlysupportingXtremeZeroWaste ALL MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES Proudly Supporting Xtreme Zero Waste 07 825 0528 directtechltd@gmail.com 10D Nau Mai Road
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