Wastebusters is a community owned enterprise, which works towards zero waste. We have charitable status (not-for-profit) and employ over 40 staff at our two sites in Wanaka and Alexandra. We make income by providing recycling, reuse and zero waste education services.
We spend our income on paying wages, reducing waste to landfill, advocating for zero waste and strengthening our communities. Our intention is not to make profits, but to “redesign, reduce, reuse, recycle”; moving our world to one where zero waste is reality instead of a concept.
Zero waste and community contributions
Some examples of the zero waste and community initiatives we support and/or provide through our profits are:
Providing a model of a successful community-owned resource recovery centre and supporting establishment and continued existence of others (eg Auckland, Alexandra)
Providing Enviroschools facilitation to preschools in Wanaka and Queenstown.
Facilitating Education for Sustainability projects with youth programmes in Wanaka – Kahu Youth and Community Networks School Holiday Club.
Continuing the battle against ridiculous over-packaging through our Unpackit facebook page.
Supporting and partnering with local initiatives to reduce waste, like Plastic Bag Free Wanaka and the Great Autumn Apple Drive.
Collecting cellphones for the Starship Hospital fund-raising recycling programme.
Supporting and hosting local events for the national Kiwi Bottle Drive campaign to bring back recycling refunds for beverage containers.
Keeping waste minimisation and sustainability high profile through regular columns for the Otago Daily Times and the Wanaka Sun and interviews on Radio Wanaka.
Supporting local arts initiatives (eg hosting David Merritt as poet in residence for Outspoken Festival, sponsoring plays and performances with props and costumes)
Sponsoring schools and community groups in their activities through reuse, recycling or financial support: eg , Te Kakano, Wanaka Trail Ride, Mt Aspiring School performances, library craft days and A&P show stall,Presbyterian church gala, Leos, Special Needs Children Bowling Party, Central Otago Hearts Kids Day Out Variety Show, Wanakafest.
Supporting the Community Recycling Network (an organisation representing community enterprises focused on zero waste), including in a governance role.
Supporting the Love Food Hate Waste NZ campaign, with campaign advice and by creating local events.
Collecting donations and donating reuse materials to connected communities after natural disasters (eg Nepal Earthquake and Cyclone Pam).