Waikato-based ResourceCo Limited has been awarded $2.57 million from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund to build New Zealand’s first dedicated construction and demolition (C&D) recycling plant, tackling one of the country’s largest and most under-addressed waste streams.

The $6.4 million project, co-funded by ResourceCo, will see the establishment of a resource recovery plant in Cambridge, designed to divert up to 72% of C&D waste from landfill. Once fully operational, the plant will process up to 187,200 tonnes of waste annually, turning timber, concrete, GIB, plastic and metal into valuable products like biofuel, fertiliser, roading aggregate, and landscaping material.

“This is a project with the environment and economy at its heart,” said ResourceCo Director, Henry Fullerton-Smith.

“Our new facility provides a smart, sustainable alternative for construction companies, developers and homeowners across Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki. Instead of sending useable materials to landfill, we’ll be giving them a second life.”

The initiative supports the Aotearoa Waste Strategy and Waikato Regional Council’s Waste Strategic Action Plan, both of which call for bold infrastructure to reduce emissions and support the shift to a circular economy. The plant is due to be commissioned by the end of 2025.

Waste diverted by year the end of 2025 is expected to include:

• 29,300 tonnes of timber repurposed for biofuel, bedding and landscaping
• 11,300 tonnes of concrete and glass crushed for roading aggregate
• 5,100 tonnes of plasterboard turned into fertiliser and compost
• 2,900 tonnes of metals sold to scrap metal dealers
• 2,600 tonnes of plastics reused by local recycling partners

In total, that’s more than 51,000 tonnes, or over 51 million kilograms, of construction and demolition waste given a second life instead of going to landfill.

The project will also deliver social and economic benefits for the region, including 14 new full-time jobs, growing to 19 roles by 2026. It also includes partnerships to support youth education and career pathways, such as with Smart Waikato’s Secondary School Employer Partnerships (SSEP) programme, which connects employers and teachers to help Year 9–10 students apply classroom learning in real-world contexts.

ResourceCo is also a member of the FutureForce Careers Hub, a trusted platform supporting Waikato rangatahi, their whānau, and educators with impartial, practical information on local career opportunities. The hub profiles young workers, shares career planning tools, and highlights key industries in the region.

Engagement with local iwi, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, has also been positive, with two hui held on-site to date. ResourceCo is working towards a memorandum of understanding that reflects shared values around environmental care, skills training, and youth development, alongside progressing a cultural impact assessment.

“This isn’t just about managing waste better, it’s an initiative that supports both the community and employment,” says Henry. “We’re proud to have the government’s backing to turn waste into value and leave a cleaner legacy for our region.”