Specialised Recycling - Lightbulbs and bread tags

Overview

Following a recycling trial carried out earlier this year, a decision was made to no longer collect lithium-ion batteries or liquid paperboard cartons at our Horowhenua District Council Civic Building. Please dispose of these items as follows:

• Paperboard cartons (used for things like long-life milk, plant-based milks and juices) – can be placed in your general rubbish
• Lithium-ion batteries – locate a participating retailer for safe disposal, don't place in your general rubbish
• Normal general-purpose batteries, eg AA, AAA, C etc - can be placed in your general rubbish
• Laptop, phone, car, tool or damaged batteries - can be recycled at our Foxton Transfer Station.

We are however still continuing to collect lightbulbs, compact fluorescent lights and bread tags.

Lightbulbs and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)

There is a free CFL collection box in Horowhenua District Council's Civic Building, and one at the Foxton Transfer Station.

Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a highly toxic waste, which if disposed of irresponsibly can pollute waterways and damage the environment. Council has sponsored a collection by Interwaste, the only company in New Zealand offering a zero-to-landfill 100% recycling service for all forms of mercury lamps.

Where do my bulbs go?

• Aluminium from tube ends is recycled into cast products such as ingot used for foundry application.
• Glass from lamps are separated and recycled into the glass wool used to insulate homes.
• Mercury is distilled from separated powders and then re-used in the manufacture of dental amalgam.
• Phosphor powder from the tubes is used for the manufacture of fertiliser products and sold to New Zealand and Australian agriculture industries.

Collection points

Bread tags

Collect your plastic bread tags and drop them off at Horowhenua District Council's Civic Building or Te Whare Mahana Community Hub.  

The bread tags are sold to a plastics company in South Africa which makes seedlings trays, and the funds are used to purchase wheelchairs for those in need.

Collection points