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.
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
What materials can be accepted at the Resource Recovery Centre?
The resource recovery centre can accept a range of materials including:
- Fibre – cardboard, paper, newspaper, and glossies
- Cans – steel and alloy
- Glass containers and bottles – clear, green, and brown
- Plastics – 1 to 7 ( this will be changing in 2024 to 1, 2, and 5 only)
Some common packaging materials that are not accepted at the resource recovery centre include:
- Soft plastics
- Polystyrene
- Liquid paper board – for example long life or juice cartons
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 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardboard | 28% | 26% | 27% | 32% |
Paper | 21% | 18% | 13% | 14% |
Plastics | 7% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
Cans | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Glass | 42% | 49% | 52% | 46% |
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 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardboard | 1,421 | 1,152 | 1,254 | 1,234 |
Paper | 1,056 | 777 | 572 | 515 |
Plastics | 302 | 192 | 211 | 196 |
Cans | 115 | 97 | 113 | 108 |
Glass | 2,559 | 2,149 | 2,348 | 1,759 |
Totals | 5,453 | 4,367 | 4,499 | 3,812 |
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 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardboard | 100% Offshore 0% Onshore | 100% Offshore 0% Onshore | 5% Offshore 95% Onshore | 5% Offshore 95% Onshore |
Paper | 0% Offshore 100% Onshore | 50% Offshore 50% Onshore | 25% Offshore 75% Onshore | 15% Offshore 85% Onshore |
Plastics | 50% Offshore 50% Onshore | 80% Offshore 20% Onshore | 65% Offshore 35% Onshore | 55% Offshore 45% 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 |
