Heretaunga House demolition achieves landmark recycling success

The demolition of Heretaunga House is on track to be completed by the end of this year, and along the way 97 per cent of the building materials have been recycled.

Removing the building sustainably was a key focus for Council, which is on a mission to reduce the amount of building and construction waste going to landfill. 

Led by deconstruction company McMahons Services, the project team has diverted almost all of the building materials away from landfill and into the hands of people who need it.

Notably, two tonnes of plasterboard have been salvaged and on-sold for use in building projects in the ongoing cyclone recovery process, along with 36 heat pumps and four kitchens.

Two containers of timber, carpet tiles, and doors have also found a new purpose in Tonga, helping to rebuild communities after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in January 2022.

In addition, around 5000 cubic metres of concrete from the building will be crushed onsite and used to fill in the site, 1500 carpet tiles will be used in a new waste education centre at Ōmarunui Landfill, and the deconstruction helped to establish the first flat glass recycling programme in Hawke's Bay.

Regional demolition and construction waste minimisation advisor Geoff Gibson, employed by Hastings District Council and Napier City Council, said the commitment to sustainable practices during the Heretaunga House demolition had been inspiring.

“We've managed to redirect an impressive amount of useful material to help communities in need, in the process setting the standard for responsible demolition practices within Hastings.”

The success of this project not only aligned with sustainable practices, but also paved the way for future development opportunity within the Hastings city centre.  Council will be approaching the commercial property development market in the New Year to realise this opportunity.

Anyone looking for advice on waste minimisation in the construction and demolition space can contact reducewaste@hdc.govt.nz. 

20 December 2023

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