KEY POINTS:
Recycling is about to hit the road on a heavily promoted Northland tourist route.
The region is soon to become the first in New Zealand to identify recycling services, including main facilities and smaller drop- off sites, on tourist visitor maps, guide books and Automobile Association brochures.
The project targets travellers on the popular Twin Coast Discovery route that takes in Northland's west coast from Dargaville and the Waipoua Forest (State Highway 12) northward to Kaitaia and Cape Reinga (SH1) and then follows the east coast via Doubtless Bay and Kerikeri (SH10).
"On the Road Recycling" is the likely brand to be given to the project by its initiators, Kaitaia-based Community Business and Environment Centre (CBEC) through its Eco Solutions division.
The initiative is supported by Northland's three district councils - Whangarei, Kaipara and Far North - as well as the Northland Regional Council.
It aims to get tourists and travellers to deposit their rubbish and recyclable materials such as cans, bottles, glass, plastic and paper at 33 recycling drop-off sites along the route.
These sites are mostly established transfer stations but also include other drop-off points such as the Ancient Kauri Kingdom (Awanui), Caltex service station (Dargaville), Gateway North Motor Lodge (Kaiwaka) and Phoenix Landscaping Yard (Mangawhai). The latter four sites do not operate recycling centres but have agreed to come on board the project because of ongoing demand from travellers who want somewhere to dump recyclable material.
The first of 10 or 12 distinctive road signs promoting the project are expected to appear in October or November, and all should be in place within 12 months.
Environmental consultants Envision NZ have been engaged to develop generic signage that will represent the project's brand and identify each district council involved.
From November this year, Northland maps and guide books will carry recycling symbols to identify 11 main recycling facilities, while Destination Northland's visitor guide will feature a two-page recycling trail.
One page will have a map showing the location of all 33 drop-off sites including hours of operation and details of what materials are accepted.
CBEC Eco Solutions manager Lanice Dromgool says when the publications become available in November, it will be the first time recycling symbols appear on maps and guides.
AA brochures, also to be distributed in November, will feature the project in its Northland visitors' guide and campervan guide.
Maps and guide books will be updated each year to include any changes to recycling services.
CBEC will manage and co-ordinate a visitor recycling bag service and says all recycling companies in Northland are committed to supporting the project and accepting the recycling bags.
