Recycling centre reopens
Marlborough’s Recycling Centre is up and running again after a devastating fire.
The November 2025 blaze caused widespread damage and forced the closure of the plant, but recycling continued and, earlier this year, a temporary local site was found for full processing.
Councillor Cyril Dawson opened the repaired facility saying it was great to have it back up and running and encouraged all residents to use it to reduce items going to landfill.
“Check what can be recycled on the Council website and please make an effort to recycle as much as possible,” he said.
A key focus is ensuring items are clean, to make life easier for the sorting line staff.
“It’s no fun for them to deal with contaminated items,” Mr Dawson said. “We need to ensure the staff are protected - they should not have to deal with dirty or dangerous items like syringes. Also, all batteries, especially lithium, must go to the Hazardous Waste site. The last thing we need is another fire.”
Council’s Waste Assessment 2026’s vision for waste minimisation in Marlborough aims to continue to divert goods from landfill and reduce contamination in recycling.
People are encouraged to ensure recycling items are clean, which means rinsing and taking off the lids. Metal and plastic lids cannot be recycled in the kerbside collection but there are bins at the recycling centre for them.
For a full list of what can and cannot be recycled go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/recycling-and-waste/a-z-recycling-and-waste-directory
The opening of the centre coincides with national Recycling Week which runs from Monday 19 October.
Get ready to ShakeOut, Marlborough
Marlborough businesses, schools and households are encouraged to take part in ShakeOut, the national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi (evacuation).
Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Chair Councillor Brian Dawson said Marlborough had made a great start with registrations already.
“Let’s show the rest of New Zealand how motivated we are here in Marlborough to be prepared for an emergency.
“ShakeOut provides a great opportunity to remind families, friends and colleagues of what to do before, during and after an event like an earthquake or tsunami.
“All you need to do to take part is Drop, Cover and Hold where you are for 60 seconds or practice your evacuation if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone.
“I’d encourage as many Marlborough businesses, schools and individuals to get on board as possible and of course to help Marlborough maintain its spot at the top of the leaderboard,” Clr Dawson said.
The national ShakeOut 2026 is on Wednesday 21 October at 1.30 pm.
To sign up as an individual, business, school or household go to: https://getready.govt.nz/involved/shakeout/sign-up
For more information on ShakeOut 2026 go to: https://getready.govt.nz/involved/shakeout.
Climb your Everest here in Marlborough
Marlburians can take on an ‘Everest-sized challenge’ on some of our region’s best-loved walking tracks.
From 10 October to 29 November, the Marlborough Mt Everest Challenge will unfold at the Tirohanga Track in Picton and Mt Vernon in Blenheim.
Council’s Community and Recreation Facilitator Regan Russell said the annual challenge started with a simple observation.
“Marlborough has some of the best walking and running tracks in the country, and not enough locals were making the most of them.
“We wanted to create an event that gave people a reason to get outdoors regularly, not just for one big race day, but as an ongoing goal they could chip away at over weeks and months.
“That idea grew into the challenge you see today: get outdoors, record your climbs, and work towards an Everest-sized goal, one walk or run at a time,” Regan said.
The goal is to travel the elevation of Mt Everest (8,800m) in seven weeks by running or walking the Tirohanga Track or the Mt Vernon Track. The Tirohanga Track will need to be climbed 36 times and Mt Vernon 25 times to complete the task.
“You can do it solo or as part of a team to help motivate each other. Get your family, friends and work colleagues to join your team. It’s about making a big goal achievable by breaking it down into your everyday routine,” Regan said.
Taking part in the Marlborough Mt Everest Challenge is at participants’ own risk.
For more information and to register go to: www.everestchallenge.nz
