Our vision for the future

Zero Waste to landfill is a breakthrough strategy that aims to redesign the way that resources and materials flow through our communities.

The ultimate goal of Zero Waste to Landfill is to create a closed loop materials economy where products are made to be reused, repaired and recycled; an economy that minimises and ultimately eliminates waste.

Other Initiatives

Several initiatives are in place or are shortly to be introduced to help with the overall vision of zero waste to landfill. These are outlined in the Draft Solid Waste Management Plan.

Immediate Initiatives:

• Zero Waste Programmes for schools and businesses. The Council provides significant assistance for those interested in setting up zero waste programmes prior to the implementation of the district wide kerbside recycling programme. Click Here to check out the Zero Waste in Schools Programme.
• Garden organics which arrive separated at the transfer stations are composted at Redruth. This currently stands at around 3,000 tonnes / year.
• There are numerous drop off points for glass, aluminium, newspaper, cardboard, clothing, metals, whiteware and oil.
• The Council employs a Zero Waste Advisor and a Resource Advisor to help with waste minimization initiatives.
• Geraldine township has a fortnightly kerbside recycling programme. A full kerbside recycling programme for the whole district should be in place by October 2006.
• A waste materials exchange was launched in 2001. This is linked to other waste exchanges in the Canterbury region.
• A reusable materials retail shop called the Crows Nest operates from the landfill. Materials suitable for re-use can be dropped off for free at the recycling centre at Redruth landfill.
• A scrap metal and car recycling yard operates from Redruth Street.
• A Zero Waste to Landfill plan for the Council's main offices was introduced in February 2001 resulting in 85% of material being diverted from landfill to re-use, recycling and composting.

Talks and tours: Solid Waste Unit staff are available to give educational talks as well as tours of the landfill to interested parties. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for further details.