Recycle Centre has new name Tipping Point

The Recycle Shop, at the Waitakere Transfer Station in Henderson has a new name, Tipping Point. A social enterprise, Tipping Point has grown exponentially since it opened its doors in 2015.

Tipping Point was established as a community recycling centre to stop waste going to landfill, and to upskill unemployed locals. Today, it employs seven staff, has welcomed over 10,196 volunteers and averages about 120 visitors a day.

Tipping Point has adopted its new name in recognition of the broad impact it is making – helping to positively influence how people think about waste to protect our environment. Tipping Point not only turns wasted resources back into treasure, it has also become a place where the community can connect and learn about recycling. McLaren Park Henderson South Community Trust began the enterprise as a pilot and has proven it to be a successful, sustainable, and impactful business.

“We have seen the centre grow into a community hub and role model for a zero waste way of thinking. We’ve built a social business that provides us with income to support the work of our community development projects.

“Staff, volunteers and customers tell us that we have created a more connected and educated community and that Tipping Point delivers a memorable experience that gives visitors a new view on what’s valuable and possible in society,” says Chief Executive of MPHS Community Trust, Kathryn Lawlor.

In a world of growing waste and plastic, the team at Tipping Point finds new value and homes for everything from tools, to books, coffee makers, lawnmowers, and electronics for all occasions.

“It’s amazing what people throw away. What we do is help divert over 200 tonnes of materials from landfill each year by restoring, reusing, or repurposing, and selling to our customers,” says Tipping Point’s Project Manager Jon Morgan, also known as Green Jon.

“We not only give new life to valuable waste, we also facilitate new opportunities for our volunteers. I’ve watched people find new purpose in what they do. Be it tinkering with computers, making furniture out of pallets, or teaching their children about recycling, everyone has a contribution to make,” says Green Jon.

Tipping Point is your community-run treasure trove to ‘drop and shop and make a difference’

To celebrate Earth Day on Sunday 22nd April Tipping Point wants to encourage people to:

· Become a zero waste champion rather than a zero thought consumer

· Compost your food waste or use a food disposal bin

· Always have a reusable bag in your car

· Shop local and buy in season kai

· Think before you buy new, can you buy a reclaimed item or make it yourself

· Change to LED lights

· Ride a bike to work

· Switch to reusable coffee cups

· Wrap food in paper rather than plastic wrap

-end-

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