Innovative Waste
Kaikoura
About IWK
What is "IWK"?
IWK (Innovative Waste Kaikōura)was started in 1998 by the local council with the objective to reduce waste going to landfill, the strategy included starting up a recycling collection in Kaikōura. In the intervening years Innovative Waste has restructured and developed different strategies to reduce and re-purpose the waste that comes into the yard.
In the past IWK has managed the demolition and waste material from the 7.8 earthquake that hit the town in November 2016, as well as having funding granted to complete a large redevelopment of the recycling yard to ensure the continued commitment and growth of recycling in Kaikōura.
The Transfer Station underwent a major redevelopment, and the new site is now quite different than previously.
The Transfer Station facility opened on 4 August 2024, with all general waste now being disposed of via compacted capsules to the Kate Valley Landfill in North Canterbury.
Keeping Kaikōura
Beautiful
Our goal is to send zero waste to landfill. We currently divert approximately 56% of our waste away from landfill.
IWK are working with the Kaikōura District Council on a range of developments and upgrades to make sure we are doing all we can to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle effectively.
What is Our Vision?
Our vision is to be valued by the Kaikōura District and seen as an asset which enhances our sustainable future.
We will work to educate the next generation of Kaikōura inhabitants in waste minimization alongside offering our services throughout the local community.
FUN FACTS
DID YOU KNOW THAT IN 2024/25 WE RECYCLED A TONNE OF WASTE...
16 tonnes of plastic equates to
320,000 water bottles
or 200 fridges
or 12 average sized cars
13 tonnes of aluminium
equates to
850,000 cans
145 tonnes of cardboard
equates to
12 blue whales
295 tonnes of glass equates to
1.5million
330ml bottles
1500 tonnes of general waste
is 50 trips to
Kate Valley,
being a total of 100 capsule loads