Open day lifts lid on city’s recycling facility

Ever wondered what happens to your recycling after you put it out for collection?

The city’s recycling facility - EcoSort on Parkhouse Road, Sockburn, is opening its doors on Saturday 31 October from 9am to 1pm for people to take a look at the facility which is normally off-limits to the public.

Visitors will also be able to get up close to a recycling truck and learn about how the contents of their yellow bins are managed.

“EcoSort processes 25 tonnes of yellow bin contents an hour,” Christchurch City Council Resource Recovery Manager Ross Trotter says.

“But a lot of our trucks are being contaminated and have to go to landfill because we can only recycle if we have the correct items in the yellow bin.

 “So now is the perfect opportunity for people to learn more about why putting the right things in your wheelie bin matters so much, as well as understanding how the recycling process works from start to finish.”

Mr Trotter says by taking the time to put only the right items in your yellow bin, you’re helping us collect high quality material that can be recycled in both local and international markets. 

If you can’t make it to the open day, learn what items can go into your yellow bin at ccc.govt.nz/recycling or use the Christchurch City Council wheelie bins app.