One man's rubbish another's treasures

A match-making service with a difference will be launched in Oamaru, encouraging people to swap what may otherwise be rubbish.

The Waitaki Resource Exchange is intended to divert industrial by-products, surplus materials and waste away from the district's landfills, which are forced to swallow ever more material.

The programme, to be launched on February 9, is aimed at encouraging Waitaki district businesses, not-for-profit organisations, schools and other groups to look at their waste as a resource that others may be able to use rather than as something to dump.

Resource exchange co-ordinator Maxine Woodhouse said the exchange was like a free "match-making service" that would list resources available for use.

"The exchange programme is aimed at reducing waste disposal costs for participating organisations," she said.

She hoped groups would take full advantage of the "face-to-face service", which would remove waste that others might be able to use.

The programme has been introduced in other centres and has proven to be highly successful.

One example she gave was a business that may have excess bubble wrap plastic, which could not be recycled, and a school which may need it for school projects.

The exchange would link the two parties together to exchange the resources.

"We want to create lasting networks between those with excess resources and those seeking them, extending the life of usable materials and keeping them out of the landfill," Waitaki Resource Recovery Trust manager Marion Shore said.

This could save in processing raw materials and reduce waste.

The exchange is jointly funded by the Waitaki District Council and administered by the trust.