$1m revamp for recycling

Pizza boxes can be recycled - but only if they're clean.
That's just part of the message managing director of Earthcare Environmental, Mike Jones, has for Masterton people because a lot of them just aren't sure if pizza box waste can be recycled.
As the completion date for building the Nursery Road Recycling and Transfer Station comes closer, Mr Jones is optimistic it will bring a much needed change to the community.
"Part of our goal is to help people understand what is recyclable," he said.
He said much of the rubbish dumped at the station is recyclable, and he would like to start educating the community more about what can be recycled.
The new building is owned by Masterton District Council and assets and operations manager, David Hopman, said the project was budgeted at just over $1 million - and is close to target.
The old recycling station will remain standing and will probably be used for storage.
All the equipment is owned by Earthcare Environmental, the company contracted by council to manage all waste services, and was formerly known as Green Fingers; "people would confuse us just for compost."
Part of the upgrade will include two lanes of parking at the recycling drop-off to accommodate more people at any one time, and a hand basin so users can wash their hands before they jump back in their cars.
"Little things make a huge difference," he said.
There are also plans for a re-use store, where people can drop off old items which can have a second life, instead of throwing them away.
Recycling will be free and this will be monitored at the front kiosk - where users can pay if they are disposing of rubbish, and will receive a docket to open the barriers to the appropriate place.
"Our job is to keep the environment clean and tidy," said Mr Jones.
Once the building is complete, around 90 per cent of the recyclable materials will be inside - creating a better environment for the staff and keeping the value of the materials higher.
Mr Jones said the staff have had to put up with "pretty tough environmental conditions" and is glad they will be inside soon as it is also a health and safety issue.
"The scrap yard will still be there," he said.
The staff will also be able to keep up with the workload regularly and will also have some new equipment, according to Mr Jones.
His new target is to reduce the amount of waste in the Wairarapa over five years - each year by 4000 tonnes. He said this is "very ambitious" but it is achievable.
The new building was designed by Willem Van Der Laan and is being built by Affordable Sheds.
The building is likely to be opened in June.