Resource Recovery Centre
Council operates the Resource Recovery Centre opposite the Blenheim Transfer Station on the Wither Road Extension at the western end of Wither Road. The opening hours can be seen below.
All year except summer period (see below):
Day | Time (open) |
---|---|
Monday to Friday | 8.00 am to 4.30 pm |
Saturday and Sunday | 10.00 am to 4.00 pm |
Summer period: Last Monday before Christmas to the Sunday after Waitangi Day.
Day | Time (open) |
---|---|
Monday to Friday | 8.00 am to 4.30 pm |
Saturday and Sunday | 8.00 am to 4.00 pm |
See public holiday opening times
For more information check out our recycling update.A wide range of recyclable materials can be dropped off there.
Go to Blenheim and Picton kerbside recycling page

Public holiday opening times
The Resource Recovery Centre is closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning.
See here for other public holiday opening times
How much material do we recycle at the Resource Centre?
The following table shows the split of materials exported from the Resource Centre in tonnes. This information is updated annually in July.
Material | 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cardboard | 28% | 28% | 26% | 27% |
Paper | 24% | 21% | 18% | 13% |
Plastics | 8% | 7% | 4% | 5% |
Cans | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Glass | 38% | 42% | 49% | 52% |
Totals | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The following table shows the tonnage that was exported from the Resource Centre. This information is updated annually in July.
Material | 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cardboard | 1,540 | 1,421 | 1,152 | 1,254 |
Paper | 1,271 | 1,056 | 777 | 572 |
Plastics | 423 | 302 | 192 | 211 |
Cans | 112 | 115 | 97 | 113 |
Glass | 2,035 | 2,559 | 2,149 | 2,348 |
Totals | 5,381 | 5,453 | 4,367 | 4,499 |
Where does the recycling go when it leaves Marlborough?
Cardboard and paper are sent to onshore and offshore packaging manufacturers for reprocessing into new products. Glass is sent to the furnace in Auckland operated by Visy, for reprocessing into new glass bottles. Plastics are sent to onshore and offshore manufacturers to be made into new products. Cans (steel and alloy) are sent to onshore metal processors and ultimately get exported offshore for remanufacture into new products.
The following table provides a general indication of the percentage split of offshore versus onshore reprocessing of recycling.
Material | 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cardboard | 100% Offshore 0% Onshore | 100% Offshore 0% Onshore | 100% Offshore 0% Onshore | 5% Offshore 95% Onshore |
Paper | 50% Offshore 50% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 50% Offshore 50% Onshore | 25% Offshore 75% Onshore |
Plastics | 80% Offshore 20% Onshore | 50% Offshore 50% Onshore | 80% Offshore 20% Onshore | 65% Offshore 35% Onshore |
Cans | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore |
Glass | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore |