New recycling board game

Recycling in Wainuiomata and, indeed, in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt, just got way more fun with the new Too Good To Waste board game.

Designed exclusively by Hutt City Council for the people of Lower Hutt, this kēmu (game) helps players of all ages to both do their bit in creating a cleaner, more beautiful and more sustainable city, and understand more about their recycling’s journey.

What’s more, the game is available to pick up at your local hub or library. The game can also be accessed at https://www.toogoodtowaste.co.nz/__data/assets/ pdf_file/0016/15370/TGTWBoardgame.pdf

Inspired by 8-year-old Emily Scherzer, the Too Good To Waste board game was created by council to help cut down on recycling contamination throughout Lower Hutt, and to help everyone understand more about the journey their recycling goes on once it leaves the kerb.

For example, did you know that recycled glass from our city is sent to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to be turned into new bottles and jars?

Fun facts and info throughout the game look at where your recycling goes, what you should pop into each bin, and more.

"Recycling contamination is still an avoidable problem here in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt," says Alison Geddes, Interim Director of Environment and Sustainability at Hutt City Council.

"While most people are great at ensuring that the right objects go into their recycling bin, contamination levels have varied between 16% and 20%, with penalty fees exceeding $30,000 per month.

“This costs the ratepayer, as we need to pay those extra processing fees, and undermines the effectiveness of the kerbside recycling service.

"However, we realise that there are plenty of myths, misconceptions and plain ‘I-don’t-knows’ around recycling out there, and so we’re taking an education-driven approach to the issue.

“The board game is part of this mission, and we can’t wait to see families across the city having fun while learning about how they can be better at recycling."