A collaborative trial in Hawke’s Bay is offering a new solution to construction waste. Builders have been using labelled bags to recycle plasterboard offcuts directly from worksites since May.
The initiative is led by waste minimisation lead Geoff Gibson from Hastings District and Napier City councils, alongside Winstone Wallboards, Central Environmental, and leading suppliers. It is the first project of its kind in New Zealand.
How the Plasterboard Recycling Trial Operates
The pilot is centred on a straightforward approach: bags for plasterboard offcuts. This keeps clean material out of landfill and ready for recycling. The intention is to reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste buried in landfills.
According to the 2024 SWAP report, that stream represents 8% of Hawke’s Bay’s total waste and between 40–50% nationwide.
Step-by-Step System for Plasterboard Collection and Processing
Plasterboard, widely used for interior walls and ceilings, is made from a gypsum (calcium sulphate) core between two heavy-duty paper layers, sometimes with added fibres or moisture-resistant treatments. The majority of this waste still ended up in landfill until now.
The new system changes the old method of disposal. Builders now receive pre-labelled bags with each plasterboard delivery, making it easy to collect offcuts as they work.
The Central Environmental transports the bags to Feilding once full, where the contents are weighed, checked for contamination, and shredded. The paper is composted, while the gypsum is bagged and sent back to Winstone Wallboards to be remade into new GIB® plasterboard.
This initiative has already diverted 13,938 kilograms of waste from landfill. Sustainability manager Jamie Rodriguez said: “It was exactly the result we were aiming for, and great to see it play out in real-world conditions.”
Practical Benefits for Builders and Contractors
The system has slotted seamlessly into daily routines for builders. Gibson said what sets the trial apart is its practicality: “What sets this trial apart is its simplicity and how easily it integrates into everyday site practices.”
Atlas Fibrous Plaster foreman John Reeves said his team was quick to adopt the bags: “The bags come with the GIB plasterboard delivery and we just chuck the offcuts straight in as we go. There’s no extra hassle, and it feels good knowing it’s not all going to landfill. We’re proud to be part of something that’s making a difference, and in these tight trading conditions, it saves us money.”
Participants also receive data on the weight of plasterboard recycled per bag, helping them report on waste reduction and spot ways to run sites more efficiently.
Towards a Circular Construction Industry
Organisers say the plasterboard initiative is not only about recycling but also about changing industry mindsets. As Geoff Gibson explained, it addresses “a complex waste challenge with no existing roadmap.” Winstone Wallboards data suggests as much as 840 tonnes of local plasterboard waste could be recycled annually.
The trial is being refined through feedback from builders and merchants, with an eye on making the system permanent and widespread.