Athenree Recycling Centre Cuts Back to Sundays Only

The Athenree Recycling and Greenwaste Centre will reduce its opening hours to just one day a week, with this Saturday, 5 April, being the last time it opens on a Saturday. From next week onwards, the centre will operate on Sundays only, maintaining its existing hours of 9am to 4pm.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council says the change reflects a significant drop in demand since kerbside recycling bins were introduced across the district in July 2021. At that time, the recycling centre was receiving around 1700 vehicle visits per month; that figure has since fallen to fewer than 500. Greenwaste drop-offs have remained relatively steady, averaging about 150 vehicles a month.

WBOPDC waste and resource recovery infrastructure lead Tony Wilson said the kerbside service has clearly changed community habits for the better. "It has made recycling more convenient than ever, reducing the need for drop-off visits at the centre," he said. He added that as the kerbside service continues to expand across the rohe, demand at recycling centres is expected to keep declining.

Residents who need to drop off recycling outside the Athenree centre's Sunday hours can visit the Waihī Refuse Transfer Station, which is open from 10am to 4pm, Wednesday through to Sunday.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).