Wastebusters is having its busiest summer yet, communications coordinator Ruth Blunt says.

“We've seen record numbers of visitors to our social enterprise over the summer period plus an unprecedented volume of goods donated to us,” she said. 

“Wastebusters is bursting at the seams”.

Once a local secret, the Wastebusters reuse store is now popular with both visitors and residents. 

“We have a good mix of locals and visitors to our district, and the usual increase in visitors as people come to Wānaka over the summer for their holidays.” 

A large portion of donations of the summer have been clothing items, Ruth said.

She said a lot of people were refreshing their wardrobes, dropping off clothing and then picking up something new in the shop.

“We are also seeing a lot of furniture coming in and going out, and homewares are a firm favourite to gift or keep.” 

As well as more foot traffic from visitors and wardrobe clearouts, Ruth put the boost in busyness down to a couple of other things.

“As well as the fantastic service we offer, we have a huge range of gently-loved gear from clothing to furniture to sports gear which is constantly changing so there's always something new to find,” she said. 

“People are also seeking ways to spend their money wisely and to make more sustainable choices. Shopping second hand first ticks both those boxes.”

Wastebusters’ recycling centre and reuse shop opened in 2000, formed by a group of locals who were sick of having to send their waste to landfill.

It has since expanded into a community enterprise with not-for-profit charitable status and, as well as the reuse store and recycling initiatives, undertakes a range of educational outreach initiatives, community events and more. 

Ruth asked visitors to Wastebusters in the coming weeks to drive carefully as construction on a new roundabout at the corner of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road takes place. 

“We’re asking everyone to slow down and to be alert for vehicles and forklifts while they’re onsite, and to keep their children close, especially outside in the yard,” she said.

“Wastebusters’ priority is to keep everyone safe as we get busier and busier on our small site.”

PHOTO: Supplied