A voluntary Gore group which carries out a recycling operation in the town may get a helping hand to weather tough economic times.
The Pakeke Lions Club recycles cardboard and paper. Last year, it removed 660 tonnes which otherwise would have ended up at the town's landfill.
But a report for next Tuesday's Gore District Council operations committee said the global economic climate and volatility of commodity markets for recyclables had affected the club's operation.
The price of cardboard had dropped 91% and mixed paper was worth nothing but was still being collected, district assets general manager Paul Withers said.
"While Pakeke Lions is determined to weather the downturn, there is a real risk that the members will just stop turning up to process the recyclable material if they feel their efforts are in vain."
The club needed to at least break even to continue, he said.
Council staff and club officials met recently and identified a $7200 shortfall.
This, Mr Withers said, presented the council with two options. It could do nothing and hope the prices paid for recycled materials would improve, or increase the money it paid the club to carry out its work.
He said the club's venture was meeting several key objectives of the council's long-term council community plan.
"[It] provides an excellent environment for 38 senior citizens to interact together while making a significant contribution to the community."
Any money made by the club's recycling work went back into the community through education grants, community projects and other worthy causes, Mr Withers said.
