46 | Recycling a win-win for region EcoCentral’s operations are making a significant impact in the region, with the total amount of recycled/diverted material last year weighing in at 61,730 tonnes. EcoCentral T T Kim Newth CONTRACTING A leader on waste reduction, EcoCentral plays a key part in driving the ongoing evolution of a sustainable circular economy in Christchurch and wider Canterbury, while also serving the region well as a provider of best practice reuse and recycling services. Trading as a subsidiary under the auspices of Christchurch City Holdings, EcoCentral runs the city’s transfer stations and resource recovery centres (EcoDrop), as well as an advanced processing plant for yellow-bin recycling (EcoSort), and a shop selling checked-over reusable goods from the resource recovery centres, (EcoShop, Blenheim Road). “Our core strength is that we give excellent customer service,” says EcoCentral CEO Craig Downie. “We make sure our customers can get in and out efficiently, and we charge a fair rate so that they walk away happy.” EcoCentral’s operations are making a significant impact in the region, with the total amount of recycled/diverted material last year weighing in at 61,730 tonnes. The team works proactively with businesses on waste reduction and recycling. For example, a recent collaboration with Briscoes and Rebel Sport means that damaged and returned products from select stores are now being sorted by the EcoShop team, who determine whether items can be resold, recycled or need to be disposed of. “It has been a real win-win for all involved. Items that would have been dumped in the past can now have a second life,” says Craig. In addition to Christchurch City, EcoCentral services Selwyn, Waimakariri and Hurunui with recycling from those districts processed through EcoSort, their materials recovery facility (MRF). “We have one of the best MRFs in the Southern hemisphere. We have the very latest optical and mechanical technology to ensure our recycled product is of an exceptional standard. “That technology enables us to see the material coming into the facility, identify it and accept it for recycling or reject it as waste.” Most of the accepted product processed at the plant is sent offshore to be recycled, as there is only limited capacity to do that in New Zealand. EcoCentral’s world-class sorting facility ensures that what’s shipped out is a quality product of an acceptable standard. Wherever possible, EcoCentral seeks out efficiencies. For example, rubbish extracted during the sorting process used to go into open-topped hook bins for waste collection. Over the past two years, these have been replaced with compactor bins that don’t need emptying as often. “Fewer truck movements means we’ve slashed our emissions, so it has been a real boost for both commercial efficiency and sustainability.” A major risk for their facilities is fire, with rechargeable batteries posing a particular danger. New heat-detection equipment with an extinguisher system is helping to manage that risk and Craig says all staff are well-trained on fire prevention and safe fire-management practices. “We urge people to use the battery disposal options at our resource recovery centres, or check council websites on where to safely dispose of batteries,” Craig says. Meanwhile, EcoCentral proudly supports Christchurch City Council’s Learning through Action programme called ‘A Waste of Time – Hangaruatia’, with a key part of that commitment being the offer of free bus transportation for schools taking part. “We’re trying to reduce barriers to learning about recycling and what we do.” “We have the very latest optical and mechanical technology to ensure our recycled product is of an exceptional standard.” Resource Recycling specialise in the collection, processing and export of scrap metals (ferrous and non-ferrous). We have a purpose built metal recycling facility at 62 Chapmans Road, Woolston, Chirstchurch and have made a multi million-dollar investment in plant and machinery. South Island’s largest privately owned steel recycler STEEL RECYCLING | NON-FERROUS RECYCLING | ON-SITE METAL SERVICES resource.co.nz Ph: (03) 389 9515 E: scrap@resource.co.nz Specialists in commercial, resource management and property matters. We understand the issues that impact you. Proud to work alongside EcoCentral. chapmantripp.com
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