Auckland’s Council's Waste Minimisation and Management Plan (WMMP) 2012 introduced the Auckland Resource Recovery Network (RRN) - a regional, interconnected network of resource recovery hubs intended as ‘one-stop shops’ where communities could, among other things:

• drop unwanted goods and recyclable materials

• reuse, repair, repurpose and upcycle resources

• access affordable, high-quality recovered goods

• participate in meaningful employment and volunteering opportunities

• engage in zero waste education.

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These hubs, known as Community Recycling Centres (CRCs), were envisaged to maximise the diversion of reusable and recyclable materials from landfill while generating a wide range of environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits.

 

A defining feature of CRCs is their operation by charitable organisations and social enterprises whose purpose extends beyond waste diversion to delivering broader community outcomes, including local employment, training, volunteering, education, innovation, and strengthened community resilience.

 

Together, CRCs provide a tangible demonstration of the circular economy in action, showing how resources can be managed differently and helping shift Aucklanders’ purchasing behaviours, consumption patterns, and attitudes toward waste and resource use. The long-term vision is to embed resource recovery and the circular economy as a normal part of everyday life in Auckland.

 

The first CRC was established in Waiuku in 2014, and the network is intended to grow to 21 CRCs and two Resource Recovery Parks (RRPs) across Tāmaki Makaurau by 2031.

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In July 2025, (ZWTM (Zero Waste Tāmaki Makaurau Trust) was established by, and on behalf of, operators of Auckland’s CRCs as a charitable umbrella organisation to support the RRN and Auckland’s zero waste objectives. ZWTM supports the network by assisting CRCs and RRPs to divert waste from landfill, drive innovation, promote education and behaviour change, enhance resilience, and wider environmental and community outcomes in collaboration with Auckland Council, community, mana whenua, and other partners.