Transfer station cuts rubbish costs
Replacing Tokoroa’s dump with a transfer station has almost halved operational costs.
Since the opening of the $1.96 million Tokoroa Transfer Station in Newell Rd last November, 6111 tonnes of rubbish, excluding 15,176 kerbside bags which have been dropped off directly, have been processed at a cost of $22,472 a month.
That is compared with the approximately $40,000 a month it took to run the South Waikato town’s former dump which was closed in 2020 due to reaching capacity and its resource consent expiring. Developing a new landfill was set to cost nearly $7m.
Once processed, the rubbish, which includes all the district kerbside rubbish collection and rubbish from the Pu¯ ta¯ ruru Transfer Station, is transferred to a facility in Hampton Downs. Over five years, transporting the waste to Hampton Downs is expected to cost ratepayers $2.4m.
South Waikato District Council communications manager Kerry Fabrie said feedback had been overwhelmingly positive.
‘‘We’re really pleased with how it is working and the feedback we get from people in our community,’’ she said.
‘‘When people enjoy using a facility, they are more inclined to keep it neat and tidy which is evident in all areas at the station – the greenwaste area, large shed, hazardous waste store and the recycling drop-off zone.
‘‘Our community deserves to have access to this modern, open and easy flowing [facility].’’
Fabrie said further improvements at the station, which is operated and managed by waste contractor EnviroWaste with seven staff, were already being planned.
‘‘Some initial conceptual thinking on what could occur has started,’’ she said.
‘‘The council is considering options to expand the facility to develop [it into] a waste recycling and waste reuse hub working closely with Solid Waste Assessment Protocol (SWAP), Habitat for Humanity and EnviroWaste.
‘‘Budget will need to be added into the next Long Term Plan in 2024 to support these initiatives.
‘‘Environmentally, the Tokoroa Transfer Station would definitely be a lot more friendly than the previous landfill and we have been able to constantly improve as we have gone on.’’
Following widespread recycling issues across the district she said that too has now improved.
‘‘The presence of the recycling education officer is making a positive difference to people using the facility, with many asking questions and taking on board advice and guidance,’’ she said.