Not sure how to get rid of your business waste or household items? Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Waste and Recycling Directory just might have the answer.

Rubbish and recycling bins lined up on the street. Photo: file.

The newly-improved search directory is a fast and easy way to find companies that recycle waste materials in the Bay of Plenty.

The directory is for households or businesses looking to stop their waste going to landfill; and while it's been operating for three years, it's just had a revamp to make it more user-friendly.

BOPRC project implementation officer Reece Irving says all businesses or individuals need to do is search for the type of waste they have and where they are based.

The directory will come up with a list of the businesses that can recycle or reuse the waste, providing detailed information, including contact details and any charges.

So far the directory has details of 100 businesses, mostly in the Bay of Plenty, which are working to recover and recycle materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill or dumped illegally.

Dumping waste or ‘Fly-tipping' is becoming an increasing problem for councils across the Bay of Plenty.

'We'd love to grow the directory's number, and it's free for businesses that recycle to sign up. The directory is used by all sorts, from businesses to families, and for all sorts of items,” says Reece.

'I did have a rest home phone me and say they collect hundreds of hearing aid batteries each year and they had just been throwing them out, but they would like to do something else with them.

'There's a national collection and recycling scheme for these little batteries that would otherwise add to the contaminants in a landfill.”

The directory connects people with goods to recycle directly with a business that recycles wastes.

'That waste becomes a resource that creates economic benefits and provides employment,” says Reece.

'We would love to hear from businesses that are not on the register yet, so we can continue to grow the tool, and get more people in the community using it.”

Find the Waste and Recycling directory at www.recycle.boprc.govt.nz

Another useful website sponsored by the regional council is The Waste Exchange: www.nothrow.co.nz

This website links waste materials with businesses and individuals who can re-use it in locations across the North Island. The exchange has reusable materials in more than 30 categories from floor tiles and hub caps to plastic drums and bulk bags.