MEDIA RELEASE
20 August 2003
Public place recycling trial shows promise
An Auckland City trial to gauge the potential for collecting material for recycling from public places shows good
prospects for greater recycling and reducing waste to landfill.
An audit of litter bins around the city prior to the trial showed that recyclable drink containers made up between a
quarter and three quarters of bin contents. Inspired by these results, the trial was begun using 14 recycling bins at
Western Springs and in the Domain.
In the trial’s first three months to June, 300kg of material was collected from recycling bins at Western Springs, and
378kg from bins at the Domain.
“We have a lot of potential in Auckland for good recycling results and, with the warmer months approaching, we will see
more people using our open spaces with even greater scope for recycling,” says Councillor Bill Christian, chairperson of
Auckland City Council’s Works Committee.
Although the figures are encouraging, between a quarter to a third of the material collected was contaminated and not
acceptable for recycling. And all too often bags of dog droppings are also being placed in these bins.
The trial will continue at the two sites, with a final report to the Works Committee due in March 2004.
“The eventual success or otherwise of the trial will rest with people putting the right thing in the right place,” says
Mr Christian.
Ends