Recycler's plan B key to surviving setback

Wanaka Wastebusters communications manager Gina Dempster. Photos by Mark Price.
Wanaka Wastebusters communications manager Gina Dempster. Photos by Mark Price.
Wanaka Wastebusters employee Bruce Shanks bales plastic ready to be shipped to China.
Wanaka Wastebusters employee Bruce Shanks bales plastic ready to be shipped to China.
Recycled plastic bales waiting to be shipped to China.
Recycled plastic bales waiting to be shipped to China.
Wanaka Wastebusters bottles are sorted for recycling.
Wanaka Wastebusters bottles are sorted for recycling.

On Tuesday Central Otago WasteBusters will hold a special general meeting in Alexandra to consider the potential takeover of its operations by Wanaka Wastebusters. Mark Price asked Wanaka Wastebusters general manager Sue Coutts and communications manager Gina Dempster how they managed to make a buck from recyclables when others struggle.

 

Q When, why and how did WW start up?

A People in Wanaka and Hawea wanted to recycle and our council [Queenstown Lakes District] at the time wasn't interested in providing services. A group of locals got together and decided to set one up here. Wanaka-based deputy mayor Sally Middleton sat on the mayor's porch until he agreed to let us use part of the old landfill site. Hundreds of people contributed time, money, skills, goods and equipment to make it happen.

Q In its early days, what waste did WW deal with, how many staff did it have, and where did its income come from

A When we opened in 2000 there were three staff paid through Task Force Green. After that we sold donated household goods and the materials people dropped off for recycling. Two retired local guys started picking up recycling from businesses and our business collections and events services grew from there.

Q Describe the impact on WW of losing the Wanaka recycling collections and processing contract in 2011?

A We lost a big chunk of our business and had to lay off some of our staff. Those jobs supported whole families. We put about 80% of our earnings back into the local economy so a lot of money flowed out of town. And we were afraid Wanaka's strong recycling ethic would be lost.

Q How did WW overcome that and to continue to be a viable operation?

A We had a plan B. We built up our reuse shop, business collections and events and started a ''pay as you go'' recycling drop-off. We also deliver Enviroschools and zero waste education in schools and home-composting advice under a small contract to the QLDC.

Q How big is WW's current operation, and what are the waste items it relies most heavily on for an income?

A We employ 23 people (16 fulltime-equivalents) and turnover more than $1 million. Last year we spent about $800,000 on wages. Any surplus we make gets reinvested in working towards zero waste. Three hundred and one businesses recycle with us. We do big events like Warbirds over Wanaka, the Wanaka A&P Show and Rhythm & Alps. The shop's always busy and we're blown away by the amazing stuff people donate.

Q How financially secure is WW?

A We're stable. We have money in the bank for a rainy day. We made a surplus last year and we're looking good for this year. We've adapted our structure so we run as a limited liability company guided by a skilled board of directors. We're still owned by the community through the Friends of Wanaka Wastebusters Inc.

Q What financial risks are there for WW taking over COWB?

A The bones of a viable community enterprise are already there. It's just going to take a bit of work to adapt to the new scenario and to build up everyone's confidence in the organisation. There are great local staff who we hope will want to carry on and work with us.

Q Is there a danger WW could damage its own financial security by biting off more than it can chew?

A We have done the numbers and we think we can make it work. Obviously our first priority is making sure we don't put Wanaka Wastebusters at risk, so we are taking it slowly.

Q What are the advantages for WW in taking over COWB?

A We don't want to be the last community recycler left standing down south. It's a tough time for community enterprise in New Zealand, with longstanding organisations like Trash Palace in Porirua closing down. We think our model can work in other places and this is a chance to prove it so other communities can feel confident to do the same.

Q What are the advantages for COWB in a WW take over?

A COWB has built up a lot of community goodwill and infrastructure over the years. Everyone we've talked to so far wants to see reuse and recycling services carry on at the Boundary Rd site and local people in those jobs.

Q What would WW's vision be for waste recycling in the Central Otago district?

A Central Otago has a zero-waste goal. They understand the connection between reducing waste and making their district more sustainable. We want to carry on the work Central Otago WasteBusters started.

Q What benefits has Wanaka had from WW's operations that Central Otago might expect?

A Wanaka families surviving on service industry wages can get good, cheap stuff and materials for projects. Travellers and tourists feel confident Wanaka takes environmental protection seriously.

Eighty percent of the money we make gets spent right here in town.

It creates work for people that find it hard to get jobs for all sorts of reasons.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement