Spring newsletter
Spring Greetings! Let’s learn, plant & protect “He mātai whakaōhio, he kaiako i te ara whakamua” “Be a learner, a teacher on the path forward” We have a ‘Rethink Journey’ package which can be personalised for each school and preschool, allowing them to work at their own pace as part of their sustainability curriculum. Our education programmes focus on reducing waste to landfill and protecting our water through topics including Recycling, the Water Cycle, Worm Farming, Rethinking Waste, Composting, and more If you have a community project, idea, or need an education session or guest speaker within the Waimakariri or Ashburton Districts, these sessions are funded. Get in touch directly by calling 027 272 1368
Identify Opportunities and Lead the Change Recycling Week 2026 is coming, and it’s your opportunity to be part of a nationwide movement towards a cleaner New Zealand. Recycling Week is New Zealand’s largest waste minimisation and recycling education campaign, empowering businesses, schools, councils, and communities to have fun, learn and rethink how we create, manage, and dispose of waste. Why get involved? By registering, you'll receive free digital resources packed with activities for daily themes, educational assets, communication templates, and social media graphics - all customisable to suit your workplace, school, or community. Participation is free – and powerful Register for Recycling Week Here>
School & Community Education We’ve been busy—and have enjoyed every moment. If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll have seen some of what we’ve been doing—there’s far too much to list here. We’ve visited schools and preschools, spoken to community groups, run workshops, got hands-on with worms, and explored what does — and doesn’t — belong in yellow recycling bins. You can see it all on our social channels, Eco Educate Facebook or Instagram . As we look ahead to the final term of 2026, please get in touch to book a session. Whether it’s your first visit or a return visit, we can create a personalised package for your school or group.
Community Events Our Event Waste Stations & Educational Activities
Hakatere Food Festival 90.7% diverted
Waste stations at events in Ashburton and Waimakariri districts help councils cut landfill waste and costs. These stations also educate the community about what can and can’t be recycled, and the importance of keeping recycling clean. Food scraps are collected for chickens, while suitable packaging is given to worm farms. While chickens and worms are helpful, reducing waste from the start is best.
Ask for smaller portions and bring your own cup, plate, and utensils to events. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see more about these events.
Career Fest Ashburton 15 October 11:30 – 5pm
He Waka Tapu Wanau Day Ashburton 28 November 11 – 3pm
Light Up the Tree Ashburton 28 November 5 – 9.15pm
Having a fundraising event? We can help you save money and reduce waste by running a waste station at your event. Our team can help you divert more waste from landfill, reduce disposal costs and educate students, whānau and your wider community about making better waste choices. Planning a school fundraising event? Get in touch to see how we can help with your waste station and educational activities.
Community Speaking We can provide educational and entertaining speakers to groups and are funded by our district councils. These funded sessions are available in both the Waimakariri and Ashburton Districts.
Give us a call 027 272 1368 Myth Buster Myth: Using dishwashing liquid or hot water while pouring fat, oil, or grease down the sink will break it up and safely carry it through the pipes. FALSE: Dishwashing liquid may break up fats and oils in your pan, but only temporarily. As grease travels through the wastewater network, it cools, congeals, and can block pipes. Hot water simply carries the grease further along before it solidifies and coats the sewer line.
Let’s Talk “Wipes " Wet wipes Baby wipes Make-up wipes Although many wipe manufacturers claim their wipes are flushable, wet wipes do not break down like toilet paper and can lead to blockages in the wastewater network. A combination of fatty acids and un-flushable items (wet wipes, tampons, dental floss) can create fatbergs that can become big enough to clog sewer lines, causing blockages and overflows. Stop wet wipes making their way into our waterways by simply placing a waste bin next to your toilet.
The Ashburton Eco-Education Centre – Drop-in Days/Times Come in for a chat and a wander around. Check out our new additions! Open Tuesdays: 10:30am-11:30am & 3:30pm-4:30pm In addition, when you see these flags out across from the resale shop at Ashburton Resource Recovery Park, pop in and say “hi”. Range Street - Gate 2 Ashburton Resource Recovery Park
IMPORTANT! Kerbside bins should be placed at least 50cm apart from one another to allow them to be collected, and the same distance away from trees, poles, cars and other obstructions. Hint: You should be able to stand between your bins.
Would you like to see our worm farm set-up? This is where the compostable items (mostly cardboard boxes and paper napkins from food vendors) that we divert from events go. The lovely worm juice travels out the tap onto the garden or can be collected. We can come to your organisation or school and help you set up a worm farm. Pop in to take a look, we are open Tuesdays: 10:30am - 11:30am & 3:30pm - 4:30pm Ashburton Resource Recovery Park Range Street - Gate 2, Ashburton
Recycling Reminder for Everyone! Recycling must be clean and dry! If possible, store your bin in a sheltered area and secure with only one lid strap. Clean paper (flat paper and larger than an envelope) Note: Paper towels and tissues are rubbish as their fibres are too short for recycling and are commonly dirty. ✓ Clean cardboard (flat cardboard and larger than an envelope). ✓ Clean tin cans. ✓ Clean aluminium cans. ✓ Clean hard plastic 1, 2 and 5 (larger than a small individual yoghurt pottle and up to a 4-litre container). ✓ ALL lids are rubbish – including small lids off bottles and flat lids from margarine/ice cream container lids and tin lids. ✓ Leave bottles and cans in their natural shape - please do not flatten them. ✓ Download the full list of what can go in your bins Bin-it-Right-list Ashburton from the Ashburton District Council website. For Waimakariri District Council What Goes in the ✓
Bins - Waimakariri
The Organics Bin (Green Bin) Only Takes: Garden waste: prunings, branches, leaves, grass clippings, weeds. Food waste such as bread, dairy products, fruit, fish, vegetables, meats & bones. Coffee grinds and loose tea leaves Remember NO: Compostable and biodegradable bags, newspaper, tea bags, paper towels, paper or cardboard of any kind. • WHY: Some of these items can contain PFAS, which are chemicals used in some coatings and treatments, and they do not break down easily in the environment. See here for a full guide on what does and doesn’t go in your kerbside bins: What goes in the green organics kerbside bin
Household batteries NO BATTERIES IN KERBSIDE BINS Remember household batteries can be recycled at your nearest drop-off point, check your closest location here: Battery Recycling Locations A quick reminder: Tape any exposed battery terminals before dropping them off Only place undamaged household batteries in the unit In the past two years, four battery-related fires have been recorded in our kerbside collection service and at waste facilities — including one in a collection truck.
Newsletter If you didn’t get this newsletter directly, please subscribe to receive our latest updates, insights, and news, click here Eco Educate Website scroll to the bottom of the page to enter your email address. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to staying connected. Want us at your school, preschool, community group or event? Get in touch 027 272 1368
Mā te wā Stay safe, Keep in touch, and we will see you soon www.ecoeducate.co.nz 027 272 1368 Eco Educate Facebook Eco Educate Instagram manager@ecoeducate.co.nz