The main objectives of the Environmental Initiatives which are being developed by CILT are:

Waste Minimisation

Community Education & Awareness

Employment Opportunities

Environmental Benefits

The Waste Minimisation Fund, administered by the Ministry for the Environment, have agreed to provide funding to build a purpose built reuse centre, repair workshop and second hand sales shop at the Coromandel Transfer Station. This facility will intercept recoverable and reusable resources from general waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill resulting in valuable recovered resources becoming available for on-sale to the local community.

CILT is developing the CCRC in partnership with TCDC & Smart Environmental Ltd and have the support of Trust Waikato & the Waikato Regional Council.

GM1415_CORO RECYCLE_OPTION 1_A101-1 Site Plan

Our intention is that the Coromandel Town Reuse Centre will prove to be cost effective and will serve as a model for the other RTS on the Peninsula, adjoining Districts, as well as nationally.

Improvement of the existing RTS together with the proposed CCRC intends to provide the following benefits:

• Continued management of electronic waste

• Recycled and upcycled household waste

• Improvements in Green Waste processing

• Recycled building waste

• Improved facilities for the safe handling and disposal of hazardous substances such as paint, chemicals & batteries

• Education of the community in ways to minimise the volume of waste sent from the ward to the Tirohea Landfill in Paeroa

• Enable disadvantaged and under employed people in our community to gain skills in trades such as upholstery, carpentry, electronics, electrics

• Encouragement of volunteers to mentor others and pass on skills

This project is seeking to add value to waste and is aimed to benefit the whole community. It addresses environmental issues, creates employment opportunities, encourages social engagement and retains valuable resources within the local area. Being run by a not for profit entity provides a greater return to the community than a for profit organisation.

Money spent with community recyclers generates multiple benefits because we provide another stimulus to the local economy and deliver on Council Community Board outcomes at the same time that we reduce, reuse and recycle.

With a community enterprise model, affordability and sustainability go hand in hand. Research has shown that community recycling projects or initiatives put 80c of every $1 they receive straight back into local hands helping to create a thriving local economy.

The revenue from community reuse activities will remain within the town and surrounding areas. Community recycling builds meaningful work and resilience for it’s target workforce of underemployed youth and people with disabilities. Managing and maintaining this model is about building these relationships as well as ensuring collaborations with other locally run community organisations. CILT will be working with the local opportunity shop “The Bizarre”, and the community gardens, and the ongoing relationship with local council & the solid waste contractor will continue to strengthen. Community buy-in is important along with skilled volunteers and staff being well trained and supported.

CILT’s vision is:

• to divert waste from being dumped in the compactor

• to improve and increase the value of what is delivered

• for similar collaborative models at RTS sites on the east side of the peninsula such as Matarangi and Whitianga

• for this model to be replicated by other councils & community organisations

• for this project to be economically viable while achieving waste minimization objectives

• for our local CCRC to be self sustainable as an ongoing project

• for the local community to support this CILT/Council/Contractor initiative

Further Outcomes:

• The development of a “Men’s Shed” concept involves accessing the practical skills of volunteers from the community and the development of a mentoring programme. This will enable underemployed individuals to learn skills in trades and arts (such as upholstery, carpentry, electrical, sewing, crafts etc) in a supportive environment. In turn these micro enterprises will be able to transfer to home and marae environments.

• Estimate are that approximately 90 tonnes of waste could be diverted from landfill in the first year at a saving of $90-$99K in cartage and disposal costs. This saving may be eventually passed on to ratepayers.

• Local people employed and educational opportunities available

• Local schools & artists will have access to materials for art projects

• The individuals involved in the project will also be able to access job skill training such as CV writing, literacy etc through CILT’s Educational Programmes.

• Ongoing mutual co-operation between this project and local community organisations such as The Bizarre, community garden, schools & iwi.

• Revenue generation for other CILT community projects

Funding of $90,000 has already been approved from central government towards the CCRC capital works which have been revised to $200,000:

• Building construction and the building fit out is planned to be completed by the end of 2016

• The Reuse Centre will be operational by mid December 2016
  

• The “Men’s Shed” educational workshop will be established in 2017