A Tauranga-based environmental organisation has diverted four tonnes of waste from landfill last year through its specialist recycling programmes.

Envirohub Bay of Plenty reached the milestone in 2025 after expanding its collection of items that cannot be recycled through standard kerbside services.

Community co-ordinator Cathy Donnelly said the achievement exceeded expectations.

“We did two tonnes in 2024 and had set a target of three tonnes for 2025, so we are absolutely delighted to hit the four-tonne mark,” Donnelly said.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our local community, everyday people making mindful choices about where they take their recyclables and helping reduce landfill and environmental harm.”

Envirohub brings people together to care for the environment by helping the community learn practical ways to reduce waste, protect nature and live more sustainably via sharing knowledge, running projects and connecting people with ideas that work.

Donnelly said Envirohub accepts a wide range of specialist recyclables, including plastic lids, aluminium pull tabs, coffee pods, batteries, printer and toner cartridges, mobile phones, laptops and devices for reuse, vape devices and pods, toothpaste jars, electric cables and charging cords.

The separate bins for recycling at Envirohub. Photo / Jo Jones

Many of the items are difficult to recycle locally and would otherwise end up in landfill.

Donnelly said the programme has also helped support charitable causes, with metal lids and Nespresso pods passed on to the Lions Club to raise funds for Kidney Kids Cancer Charity.

“[This year] 2026 will see us also collecting spectacles [glasses] and foreign currency on behalf of Lions too,” Donnelly said.

The spectacles include prescription, reading and children’s glasses, with Envirohub partnering with Lions Foundation’s Recycle for Sight project.

Envirohub operates a recycling drop-off point at 31B Glasgow St, Tauranga Central, open 10am-2pm Mondays to Thursdays.

The organisation is encouraging residents to continue using the service and to get involved in upcoming initiatives, including the launch of the Everybite food waste challenge in February and its flagship Sustainable Backyards programme running across the Bay of Plenty in March.

Envirohub is also seeking volunteers, local businesses and community groups interested in expanding recycling collection points or learning more about sustainable waste solutions.

More information is available by emailing Envirohub Bay of Plenty at: admin@envirohub.org.nz.