About TerraNova

History

TerraNova is the new name for the organisation previously known as the Recovered Materials Foundation. The Recovered Materials Foundation was a not-for-profit organisation established by the Christchurch City Council and other interested parties in 1997. Its aim was to develop sustainable end uses for materials recovered from the wastestream.

As part of an integrated waste minimisation strategy CCC was also implementing a kerbside recycling collection at that time (visit the Real Recycling website), and it was clear that stable, sustainable markets for recovered materials were central to the success of this programme. Amongst other things, TerraNova has responsbility for finding markets for materials collected at kerbside. This marketing and procesing work is now undertaken by an arm of Meta NZ (a charitable company established by TerraNova in 2005) called Meta Processing.

TerraNova has re-focussed its role from that of a processor of recovered materials to an organisation offering education and information, research and development, waste exchange services, and the sale of reusable items through SuperShed. TerraNova is involved at all levels in monitoring,  lobbying for and advising on issues related to waste minimisaiton.

TerraNova's focus is not just on financial returns, but also on other social and environmental benefits of recycling. These include increased employment opportunities and effective resource utilisation within Canterbury.

This requiries a holistic approach to all facets of reuse and recycling, as reflected in our structure and function.