Recycling

The annual amount of waste generated in the Southland region is approximately equal to an average rugby field, filled six storeys high with rubbish.

If we carry on like this we could destroy our environment so it is everyone's problem. Everybody needs our natural resources so everybody should help to protect them.

It is everyone's choice as to how much waste is produced throughout Southland. To help in waste minimisation you can:

Reduce

• Buy products with minimum packaging.
• Supply your own method of carrying groceries.
• Buy long life products, like rechargeable batteries.
• Use both sides of writing paper.

Reuse

• Give away or sell unwanted goods to others.
• Take plastic bags back to the supermarket.
• Remember: One person's junk is another person's treasure.

Recycle

• Products, particularly where there is a market demand for them.
• Establish a compost bin or worm farm.

By taking part in reuse and recycling, you are helping to achieve waste minimisation which in turn reduces the effects the waste has on our environment.

What can you recycle

• Cardboard (flattened and dry)
• Paper (dry)
• Aluminium cans
• Glass (clean)
• Tin cans (clean)
• Plastics (wash, squash and remove lids) - types 1 and 2, such as clear soft drink bottles, milk bottles. Check the bottom of the bottles and containers for the plastic identification code which tells you what type of plastic it is.
• Greenwaste
• Scrap Metal

Where can you recycle?

• Your yellow recycling bin, if you have one
• Recycling centres at:
  - Lumsden, 35 Oxford Street
  - Garston, 9 Garston-Athol Highway
  - Manapouri, Hillside Road
  - Mokotua, 13 Clearwater Road
  - Mossburn, Mossburn-Lumsden Highway
  - Ohai, 10 Richmond Street
  - Riversdale, Community Centre Carpark
  - Riverton, 1 Havelock Street
  - Te Anau, 237 Manapouri-Te Anau Highway
  - Tokanui, McEwan Street
  - Tuatapere, King Street Domain
• Transfer Stations and Refuse Sites - at all transfer stations and the Mossburn refuse sites there are recycling facilities. If you are unsure how to use the facilities, talk to the attendant at the site.
• Reuse Sheds - at all transfer stations. They are to put furniture, toys etc, basically anything that other people may reuse.
• Greenwaste Site - disposal of greenwaste at Riversdale and Wallacetown disposal sites and at all transfer stations is free for carloads and $12 for utes and trailers. 
• Scrap Metal Site - for vehicles and appliances.