Pongakawa recycle drop-off extended
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is extending its rural recycling drop-off service in Pongakawa for another month – ending on 18 July 2020.
The mobile recycling service was due to end this Saturday but Council will run it for another two Saturdays, on 4 and 18 July (9am to 1pm) due to popular demand and to make up for the loss of two months during the COVID-19 shutdown.
The rural recycling drop-off at the Pongakawa BP Service Station began in November 2019 as a six-month trial. The trial aims to gauge whether drop-off points in remote rural sites will support recycling in those areas that would not be included if Council introduces a rates funded district-wide kerbside recycling, glass and rubbish collection.
Data gathered from the Pongakawa trial will be assessed to inform a decision on the location and implementation of remote rural drop-off sites in the District.
The Pongakawa mobile recycling centre has been managed for Council by Waste Watchers Limited. Director Marty Hoffart says people love it because it is so convenient and saves time and money from travelling in to the Te Puke Recycling Centre.
Other councils in New Zealand, including Hastings District Council, have similar rural drop-off sites that are proving very popular. They are operated with the assistance of their communities and are well set up, tidily kept and well maintained, says Marty.
As a trial, this is funded through the Waste Minimisation Levy and District-wide Environmental Protection Rate.
