It’s been 20 years since a group of Wanaka locals first got together to start a community recycling centre. 

Two decades later Wastebusters is a social enterprise business that employs more than 50 full and part-time staff over its two sites; 763 businesses recycle with it; and last year it sent 2,280 tonnes of material off to be recycled.

“We’ve done a lot of growing, we’ve had a lot of fun, and there are plenty of achievements to celebrate,” Wastebusters communications manager Gina Dempster said. “We’re really looking forward to getting together with everyone who has been part of the journey and celebrating how far we’ve come.”

There are a lot of Wastebusters ‘highlights’ from the past 20 years, she said. 

Some of them include bringing recycling to Wanaka and running the first kerbside recycling service (2007-11), running the Unpackit Awards to reduce packaging, bringing repair workshops to the district, and supporting community initiatives such as SUCfree Wanaka, MAD4CO, Thyme

Festival, Plastic Free Wanaka and the One Summit

“As we head into the next 20 years we want to continue helping our community to be resourceful and resilient, a place where everyone can prosper,” Gina said. 

“We’re excited to see what else we can get done together. To zero waste and beyond!”

Throughout November Wastebusters will hold site tours and free beeswax wrap sessions, plus a party on November 27.

Wanaka site tours will take place on Wednesday November 4, 3.30pm; Saturday November 14, 10am and 3.30pm; Wednesday November 18, 3.30pm; and Wednesday November 25, 3.30pm. 

Dates and times for the beeswax wraps sessions are yet to be confirmed. 

The celebrations will culminate with a party on-site on Friday November 27, with ‘formal celebrations from 5.30 to 7pm, and the ‘party party’ continuing from 7pm. Wastebusters finery is encouraged, Gina said.

Wastebusters is a social enterprise, which delivers reduction, reuse and recycling services funded through its own business operations. Learn more at the website.

PHOTOS: Wastebusters