Construction and demolition waste

Construction and demolition materials are valuable commodities, but they make up nearly 70% of the materials that go to landfill - see New Zealand Construction and Demolition Waste Baseline and Tracking Methodology Report | Ministry for the Environment (link to external website, new window).

Much of the timber, plastics, polystyrene, plasterboard, metals, rubble and topsoil that gets dumped could be reused or recycled. On-site sorting, changes to construction practices, and designing out the ‘waste’ in the first place can all help divert materials from landfill.

Check out what some local businesses have done to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill, and get inspired about how you can introduce sustainable practices into your own work.

You can find more information and resources at the bottom of this page.

We can help you reduce construction and demolition waste

A construction and demolition sorting area is already planned as part of the redevelopment and upgrading of the Green Island Resource Recovery Park over the next few years. Just as importantly, we are building relationships and bringing industry players together to foster collaborative action.

BRANZ resource recovery map

The resource recovery map enables you to find locations to drop off construction and demolition waste for reuse or recycling. The recent increase in landfill costs makes it even more important to plan your waste drop-off strategically, saving costs and reducing construction waste to landfill.

REBRI resources

REBRI resources include tools and calculators to help builders, construction managers, and project managers to manage their building waste effectively, steering it away from landfills. There is also an easy to complete Waste Minimisation Plan available as a free download.

Wastehub

WasteHub is a free-to-access, web-based resource designed to answer the most common waste-related questions in construction. It’s the product of years of fieldwork, providing builders with easy, actionable advice for reducing waste.

WasteHub was co-created by the Environmental Innovation Centre (EIC) and WasteX™ and is co-funded by the Plastic Innovation Fund, Marley, Mitre 10, and Waste Management.

Construction and demolition case studies

Get tips and practical information from companies that are leading the way locally by reducing waste and reusing or recycling materials from their demolition and/or construction sites.

Cook Brothers - Te Puna o Whakaehu base

Cook Brothers - Te Puna o Whakaehu construction

Naylor Love - Trades training building construction

Naylor Love - Trades training building onsite waste sorting

Information and resources

Waste in Dunedin

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