A media release from Wastebusters said Bruce Shanks, known by the team as Bailer Bruce, has been working at Wastebusters since 2006.
Bruce joined Wastebusters and has spent the last two decades sorting and baling recyclable materials by hand, helping keep valuable resources in circulation, it said.
Bruce’s most memorable moments included reuniting a newlywed couple with their wedding money, which was mixed in with their recycling, moments away from being processed.
"The story earned him a spot on the local radio and cemented his reputation as one of Wastebusters’ local legends," it said.
Wastebusters general manager Gina Dempster said Bruce’s contribution to the organisation had been outstanding.
"Bruce’s positive attitude, reliability and dedication have played a huge role in Wastebusters’ success over the past 20 years.
"He’s someone the whole team values enormously, as do our recycling customers," she said.
Over the years, Bruce had not only been known for his hard work but also for bringing a bit of joy to the recycling yard through the messages he wrote on the cardboard bales, Ms Dempster said.
"Bruce’s messages like ‘from Wānaka, with love’ and ‘don’t worry, be happy’ make me smile every time I walk past the bales of cardboard waiting to be loaded out.
"I love imagining the reprocessor at the other end of the recycling chain reading them — in many ways, they reflect the care that goes into all the recycling we do at Wastebusters," she said.
Over the course of his 20 years with the organisation, Bruce has bailed an estimated 6000 tonnes of cardboard, 1000 tonnes of plastics, 1000 tonnes of paper, 250 tonnes of steel cans and 150 tonnes of aluminium cans.
