Offcuts and leftover materials from Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s new library build at Waihī Beach are weaving their way into the community through a recycling effort that is giving them a second life in gardens, schools, farms and local projects.
Close to 170 sqm of materials – mostly offcuts of timber, piles and plywood – have been utilised by individuals and community groups, including the Waihī Beach Menz Shed, Waihī Beach School and Habitat for Humanity.
Much of the timber was recycled via an on-site ‘kiosk’ run by construction company Hawkins, from which people could collect materials for their home and community projects.
Waihī resident, Garry Kirkbride, used cut-off timber piles to replace a garden retaining wall in his backyard.
“It was a tyre retaining wall and, although it served its purpose, it was ugly – we are very happy with the result,” says Garry.
“It’s a great initiative, offering scrap material free of charge to the locals.”
Other materials that could not be reused, were recycled where possible through other means – polystyrene was returned to Expol, plasterboard went back to Winstone Wallboards, metal offcuts to a scrap metal dealer, and plastic was sent to saveBOARD, who upcycle packaging waste into new building products.
“In general, a site this size would generate up to 30 cubic metres of waste. So far we have redirected at least half of that,” says Hawkins Site Manager, James Reynolds.
“The aim was to do as much as we could for the community, while diverting as much waste away from landfill as possible. We also used as many local people and companies as reasonably possible.”
Te Ara Mātauranga – Waihī Beach Library and Community Hub, is due to open at the beginning of July, replacing the existing library and service centre which is on the same site.
“This approach turns construction into a community resource. When a building project gives back to the community in this way, everyone benefits,” says Council’s General manager Strategy and Community, Rachael Davie.
“It’s a great example of sustainability in action – reducing waste while supporting the kind of connected, resourceful communities we all want to live in.”
Items recycled and reused include:
- 33sqm rough-sawn timber
- 57sqm piles
- 40sqm plywood offcuts
- 32sqm timber offcuts
- 6sqm reinforcing bars
- 3 cubic metres plastics (saveBOARD)
- 20sqm polystyrene (Expol)
Want to see how the build’s coming along? Keep up to date with progress at: https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/te-ara-matauranga.
