Composting has mulch to offer ...
Abusiness billed as Nelson’s only purpose-built organic green waste operation is for sale along with the property it occupies. Brokers say Greenwaste to Zero — at 18 Cargill Pl, Richmond — provides garden waste management services throughout the Nelson and Tasman districts. It recycles the waste into organically produced compost, mulch and topsoil.
Colliers International is selling the facility as a going concern, along with plant, equipment and the freehold land and buildings it occupies.
The deadline private treaty process closes 4pm September 12 (unless sold earlier); full details being in the latest Colliers Portfolio.
Broker Geoff Faulkner sees a dream opportunity to own a business striking the ideal balance between ethics, income and lifestyle.
“Here’s your chance to escape the rat race, relocate to sunny Nelson and draw income from a sustainable, environmentally sound and profitable eco-business,” he says.
Established in 2020, Greenwaste to Zero is a locally-owned family business, whose customers pay to drop off green waste, plus paying for garden products produced.
“Substantial income is also generated by Nelson City Council’s main commercial contract to handle green waste, with additional income from landscaping contractors and local gardeners.”
Faulkner sees the potential for an ethically minded business person to move to one of the most desirable cities in New Zealand, with a high growth rate, stunning homes and great schools.
“The outdoor lifestyle awaits, with numerous national parks and stunning coastlines throughout the region.”
Greenwaste to Zero is a substantial operation.
Its assets include a 4148sq m Industrial-zoned freehold site and a 909sq m warehouse facility valued around $1.5 million.
“The sale includes the land, buildings and plant, which is in good working condition, as well as a secure long lease on a large processing area across the road,” says Faulkner.
“The successful buyer will also take possession of all the stock and business contracts, with the benefit of a training and handover period as you take on the cash flow.”
The company’s substantial composting area is located opposite its warehouse property in Cargill Pl.
The land is leased from the Nelson A&P Association, owner of the adjacent Richmond Park Showgrounds and Nelson Racecourse. “The composition area contains many rows of gently decomposing green waste, producing tonnes of fine-grade finished product,” Faulkner says. “The company uses the windrow composting method, the most common but most labour-intensive method to organically produce compost.”
It involves piling organic matter into in long rows, known as windrows, that are triangular in shape and about 4.5m to 5m wide.
The windrows are turned regularly with a front-end loader and bucket to improve porosity and oxygen content, mix in or remove moisture, and redistribute cooler and hotter portions of the pile.
The temperature of the windrows must be consistently monitored to avoid odour problems and ensure the mulched green waste materials are composting.
Greenwaste to Zero was founded on the principle that good composting takes time, and time produces good compost — as nature intended. The resulting compost has absolutely no chemicals or fillers added, and is 100 per cent organically produced.
The company’s compost undergoes regular nutrient and toxin analysis by an independent laboratory, R J Hill Laboratories. It is available by the bag or in bulk, with use of a
Broker Geoff Faulkner sees a dream opportunity to own a Nelson-based business that balances ethics, income and lifestyle.
complimentary trailer on offer.
Quality compost improves soil structure, fertility and general soil health, and acts as a natural pesticide for soil. It is used for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction and as a landfill cover.
Greenwaste to Zero also produces mulch, which suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture and encourages earthworms.
Mulch clings to sloping areas such as banks, and feeds gardens as it slowly breaks down over the years — unlike bark, which uses up nutrients as soon as it is laid.
The company also produces several grades of topsoil, including dry, screened and unscreened.
“Rarely do business opportunities with such broad appeal and genuine eco-credentials come to the open market,” says Faulkner.
“Anchored by property ownership and established cash flows, this opportunity is good for the environment and good for you.”