Building Waste photo with CReW logo

Recycling Building Waste

It's estimated that construction and demolition waste makes up around half of all landfill waste in New Zealand. On average, building one new home creates four tonnes of waste. This is waste on a grand scale, waste of resources, waste of materials, and a waste of energy.

Reduce construction and demolition waste in your project

With support from both Whakatāne District Council and the Ministry for the Environment, Community Resources Whakatāne (CReW), is expanding its capacity to help construction companies and builders divert building and demolition waste from landfill.

How CReW can help

CReW can support your business by accepting and picking-up material which would otherwise go to landfill. This material will then be used for other builds, like DIY home-handyman projects. This reduces the amount of waste going to landfill and reduces the use of resources and energy to create new products.

ProductCost
Pick-up service (within 10kms of CReW at 40 Te Tahi Street, Whakatāne)1$25 plus GST
Additional travel charge above 10Kms from CReW$1 per km plus GST
Sorted recyclable / reusable material in bags2 picked up$100 per tonne plus GST
Drop offs of sorted recyclable / reusable materialFree
1 Picked up within two business days 
2 Bags will be supplied by CReW

What will CReW accept?

We’ll take the following materialsWe won’t take
TimberAsbestos
Part sheets of gib (down to 300 to 600mm)Clean fill
Doors and windows including framing
(accepted with prior discussion)
Concrete
Cabinetry (accepted with prior discussion)General rubbish
Fireplaces (accepted with prior discussion)Green waste
Sanitary ware like toilets and showersHazardous waste
Roofing  
Bricks and cobbles  

Graphic showing the Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Recovery and Disposal flow of waste diversion The part you can play

Avoiding and reducing the amount of waste that’s produced on a build is the most efficient and cost-effective way to manage waste - as well as the best practice for the environment.

First aim to avoid creating waste and then work to reduce the amount of waste you generate.

The second priority is to recover any reusable materials so they can be used again to save on costs and resources.

Next work to divert any recyclable materials so they can be made into new products and recover any organic materials to be made into compost.

Less is more

Reducing waste in your business can bring a wide range of benefits to you.

Save money

  • You will save on waste disposal costs as landfill costs continue to rise. • Reduce costs for transport of wasted materials.

Win work

  • It's becoming more important to clients to use companies that are lighter on the planet. By reducing waste, you may win more contracts from clients who want “to do the right thing”.
  • Improve client satisfaction and your company image.
  • Encourage repeat business.

About CReW

CReW LogoCReW is a self-sufficient, non-profit community reuse centre for the Whakatāne region.

We are the only reuse centre in the Eastern Bay and work to divert 312 tonnes of material away from landfill annually.

If you would like to get in touch you will find us at:

Address: 40 Te Tahi Street, Whakatāne
Phone: 07 308 5963 / 027 3499775
Email: crew@pouwhakaaro.co.nz
Online: crewonline.org.nz

Proudly supported by:

Whakatane District Council Logo