Thousands of tonnes of concrete from construction and demolition works will be diverted from landfill in Bay of Plenty and Canterbury each year following a funding boost from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF), Environment Minister Nicola Grigg announced today.

National waste concrete processor Envirocon has received almost $700,000 from the Fund to process around 38,000 tonnes of additional waste concrete annually at a new Tauranga operation and an expanded Christchurch facility.

“This investment will support increased recycling of concrete waste and reduce the amount of material being sent to landfill,” Ms Grigg says.

“Construction and demolition waste are one of the largest contributors to landfill volumes in New Zealand, and make up an estimated 70 percent of all material sent to landfill each year.

“This project is about reducing those volumes and aligns strongly with the purpose of the Fund.

“The Waste Minimisation Fund plays an important role in boosting New Zealand’s performance by supporting projects that increase reuse, recovery, and recycling, and reduce waste to landfill.”

Envirocon developed the first stages of its concrete diversion project with support from WMF funding in 2015 and 2017 to establish infrastructure and increase processing capacity.

The latest funding will enable the company to expand its processing capacity for excess ready-mix concrete.

Envirocon is recognised under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 as an accredited product stewardship scheme provider.