27 April 2020

The Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre and the Midtown Transfer Station will reopen on Tuesday, 28 April when the country moves into COVID-19 Alert Level 3.

The Resource Recovery Centre will be partially open with reduced hours and the Midtown Transfer Station will resume its usual services. Both organisations are implementing safety measures to protect their staff and the wider community.

Kerbside rubbish collection and rural waste collection services will continue as usual during this time.

Whanganui District Council’s Waste Minimisation Advisor and Emergency Operations Controller, Stuart Hylton, says, “We know people will be keen to recycle items they’ve held onto at home during the Alert Level 4 lockdown.

“We are anticipating heavy volumes so please expect delays and be considerate towards staff and other users.

“Your cooperation with following the rules will mean we can keep staff and our community safe,” Stuart Hylton says.

Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre

The Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre, at 81 Maria Place, will open for recycling and green waste drop offs on Tuesday, 28 April but will still be closed for e-waste and scrap metal.

A system has been put in place so the centre is able to operate safely at COVID-19 Alert Level 3:

Recycling

• Only the front of the recycling centre will be open.
• Traffic management will be in place, with six vehicles allowed into the recycling centre at a time, on a ‘one out, one in’ basis.
• People waiting to access the centre are asked to remain in their vehicles.
• No walking access is allowed.
• When you’re in the recycling centre only one person is permitted to exit each vehicle to put recycling into the bins.

Green waste

The green waste entrance is located to the left of the recycling bins (looking at the Resource Recovery Centre from the street).

• Follow the signs to drive directly to the green waste pit then remain in your vehicle. 

• Staff will approach you to process your payment and give further instructions. (Note that the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre can accept EFTPOS sales only, no cash.)

Reduced opening hours

Under COVID-19 Alert Level 3, the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre will be open for these hours seven days a week:

• Between 9.00am-10.00am each day the centre will be open only to citizens aged 65 years and older
• From 10.00am-4.30pm the centre will be open to everyone
• From 4.30pm-9.00am the centre will not be accessible.

Midtown Transfer Station

Waste Management’s Midtown Transfer Station, at 14 Liffiton Street, will reopen to the general public on Tuesday, 28 April at 8.00am.

Safety measures will be in place to meet social distancing, hygiene and contact tracing requirements.

When you arrive please follow the instructions from the team to keep everyone safe.

Midtown Transfer Station’s hours are Monday to Saturday, 8.00am-4.30pm, and Sunday from 9.00am-4.00pm.