Facility launches operations towards Sustainable Waste Management
The facility aims to address the pressing need for effective waste management practices, targeting essential recyclables such as glass bottles and PET plastic bottles.
Image Credit: Niue Government
The Government of Niue is taking notable steps toward sustainable waste management with the establishment of the Niue Resource Recovery Centre.
The facility aims to address the pressing need for effective waste management practices, targeting essential recyclables such as glass bottles and PET plastic bottles.
The Facility is set to expand its operations to include a diverse range of materials including steel cans, aluminium cans, e-waste, white goods, used lead-acid batteries, scrap steel, ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as end-of- life vehicles once the appropriate machinery and equipment arrives on the island.
According to the press statement from the Environment department, recruitment of staff for the facility will commence shortly.
The facility is currently operating with a glass crusher, baler, and shredder despite minor setbacks with the baling machine requiring maintenance. Further enhancements will be made with an incinerator awaiting assembly and completion of training for a composting machine (Hot Rot).
In terms of environmental impacts, the facility’s operations aim to mitigate soil and water contamination, reduce reliance on landfills by 50%, limit harmful air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguard water lenses from land-based pollution. Socially, it seeks to foster community engagement, responsible waste management practices and champion a culture of reduce, reuse, and recycle including reducing litter. Economically the introduction of an proposed Advance Recovery Deposit Fee Scheme ensures financial sustainability while positioning Niue as an Eco-conscious destination for tourists.
The project is Funded by the Government of Australia with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as the delivery partner. The initiative was co-led by the Department of Environment with the Project Management & Coordination Unit (PMCU).
In October 2022 there was a soft opening of the facility when Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong visited Niue.
BCN news understands that the facility has not been operational since that soft opening.
