Thousands of tonnes of concrete waste from construction and demolition projects will be diverted from landfill each year following new funding support from New Zealand’s Waste Minimisation Fund. The investment aims to increase recycling and promote more sustainable waste management practices across the country.
National waste concrete processor Envirocon has received nearly $700,000 to expand its operations in Tauranga and Christchurch. The funding will allow the company to process around 38,000 tonnes of additional waste concrete annually, reducing the amount of construction material sent to landfill.
Construction and demolition waste remains one of New Zealand’s largest sources of landfill material, accounting for a significant share of total waste volumes. The new initiative focuses on recovering and reusing concrete resources while supporting the transition toward a circular economy.
The project builds on earlier Waste Minimisation Fund support provided to Envirocon in 2015 and 2017, which helped establish recycling infrastructure and improve processing capacity. The latest funding will further expand the company’s ability to handle excess ready-mix concrete from building activities.
Environment Minister Nicola Grigg said the investment supports national efforts to reduce waste, increase resource recovery, and improve recycling outcomes. The initiative also aligns with New Zealand’s broader goals to minimise landfill use and encourage sustainable practices across industries.
Through continued investment in recycling infrastructure, the project is expected to lower environmental impacts while creating a more efficient system for managing construction materials.
