Auckland Council’s largest transfer station is undergoing major redevelopment and shifting its focus to the reuse and recovery of materials as part of Auckland’s zero waste strategy, with the first stage opening to the public in June.
The existing Waitākere Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station and community recycling centre, Tipping Point, will be renamed the Waitākere Resource Recovery Park (WRRP) and primarily become a centre for recovering resources from waste for reuse.
Close to 86,400 tonnes of material came through the transfer station’s gates last year. Excluding kerbside-collected waste and leachate, 45 per cent of material was diverted from landfill to be recycled, reused or repurposed.
Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, says Auckland Council is ramping up these efforts to keep resources out of landfills, to benefit the natural environment while creating opportunities for local communities and businesses to thrive in a circular economy.
“Aucklanders are aware of the significant environment, economic and social costs of increased waste to landfill yet, as a society, we throw away so much that could be used as a valuable resource,” Cr Hills says.
“The Waitākere Resource Recovery Park is another big step forward in our waste reduction efforts in Tāmaki Makaurau – and in line with our well-supported vision for a zero-waste Auckland by 2040.”
MPHS (McLaren Park Henderson South) Community Trust Chief Executive Kathryn Lawlor says the expanded Tipping Point Reuse Shop and the newly launched Construction and Demolition Hub at the Waitākere Resource Recovery Park are set to significantly scale up local waste-diversion efforts.
“With our new purpose-built hub, we’re able to rescue more items from landfill by protecting them from the weather, making them more usable and valuable for local businesses and our community,” says Ms Lawlor.
“This next chapter also brings new opportunities for our community, through employment, volunteering, and learning about how everyday actions can support a more sustainable future.”
Operated by MPHS Community Trust, the Tipping Point community recycling centre plays a vital role in supporting a circular economy by reducing waste and promoting reuse. Proceeds from the centre are reinvested into community programmes, ensuring the benefits extend well beyond the site itself.
The new Construction and Demolition Hub will provide individuals, suppliers and trade clients with a place to drop and purchase different types of building materials that would otherwise end up going to landfill. Much of the building’s own interior has been built using recovered and reused construction materials.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says the Waitākere Resource Recovery Park is set to become a cornerstone of Auckland’s Resource Recovery Network.
“As part of the wider Resource Recovery Network of community recycling centres, the Waitākere Resource Recovery Park will support the network by trialling new reuse initiatives and helping to engage with more Aucklanders and communities, through education and behaviour change initiatives.”
There are currently 13 Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) in the Resource Recovery Network, with a goal of expanding to 21 CRCs and two large resource recovery parks by 2030, ensuring most urban Aucklanders live within a 20-minute drive of a convenient place to bring or buy items.
Building the Resource Recovery Network has been funded jointly through a partnership with National Infrastructure Funding and Finance (formerly Crown Infrastructure Partners) and Auckland Council.
Waitākere Resource Recovery Park is at 50 The Concourse, Henderson.
