The Taumarunui Resource Recovery Centre is set to celebrate its third birthday with a three-day, three-dollar sale next week.
Ruapehu District Council Sustainability Facilitator, Emily Jasmine said the underlying success of the Resource Recovery Centre over the last three years was due to its staff, volunteers, and the support of the local community.
“In a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us, and to mark this significant milestone in the journey towards a sustainable and zero-waste future for Ruapehu, we are holding a three-day sale where everything is three dollars or less,” she said.
“Over the last three years from our humble beginnings operating part-time from a single 40-foot container we have grown into a purpose-built facility that now employs four dedicated staff members supported by a team of passionate volunteers.”
Over this time, the centre has diverted an impressive 305 tonnes of material from landfill, rehomed 160,724 items, and generated over $280,000 for reinvestment in developing the facility, promoting sustainability, supporting community groups, and providing local employment and volunteer opportunities.
“Without the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers, and unwavering community support, none of this would have been possible,” said Ms Jasmine.
As well as fostering sustainable communities, the Resource Recovery Centre plays an important role in helping people save money and meet their everyday needs.
“From whanau facing financial challenges to people embarking on home projects and hobbyists seeking materials, the Resource Recovery Centre has become a valuable resource for the community,” said Ms Jasmine.
“I am constantly being amazed at the range of incredible projects people are undertaking with recovered materials that would otherwise have gone to landfill. We see people using recovered materials for everything from hobbies through to major household projects amongst other things.
“By providing access to a wide range of reusable goods and materials, we enable whanau to stretch their budgets and find affordable solutions for their daily needs and projects. This not only eases financial burdens during the current cost of living crisis but also promotes a sustainable and responsible approach to consumption.”
The Resource Recovery Centres in Taumarunui and Ohakune also function as social enterprises, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and providing training opportunities, which contribute to the local economy and support Council’s community wellbeing objectives.
“By facilitating waste prevention, reuse, repair, and recycling, we support the Aotearoa New Zealand Waste Strategy to minimize the harmful effects of waste and enhance sustainability. Engaging the community and fostering a circular economy ensures resources are used for as long as possible, supporting the country’s environmental protection efforts.”
The sale will be held over Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June.
