Recycling in public places a success

12 November 2009

Aucklanders have embraced the opportunity to recycle in public places during a three-month trial of 22 bins in the CBD. As a result, Auckland City Council plans to permanently introduce the recycling bins in public places and expand the number and areas they are located.

Under a trial funded by the Ministry for the Environment as part of its "Love New Zealand" programe, Auckland City Council placed 22 recycling bins around the inner CBD from May 2009. Each bin collected an average of 3.72kg of material per week which was sent to the Visy Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for processing. 87% of this was recyclable which is seen as a very good recovery rate for a trial period.

As well as promoting the benefits of recycling, the purpose of the trial was also to work out the most effective methods of public recycling including the most popular bin type and the most used locations. The trial found that recycling bins located next to rubbish bins were most popular. The design of the lid of the bin had an impact on the amount of recyclables collected. The most recycled material was glass followed by PET drink bottles.

City Development Committee chairperson Councillor Aaron Bhatnagar welcomed the move. "Aucklanders have shown they want more opportunities to recycle so we will be introducing more recycling bins around the city including in areas that will get a lot of use during the Rugby World Cup," says Councillor Bhatnagar.

In addition to the trial locations around the Viaduct, ferry terminals, Britomart and some central city shopping streets, the public recycling bins will now be introduced into other areas including the area around Eden Park.