Environment Minister Nick Smith announced yesterday the antifreeze recycling plant would receive $180,000 over three years from the Waste Minimisation Fund.
Dr Smith said the initiative was a New Zealand first. It would help prevent used antifreeze ending up in waterways and causing environmental harm, and by recycling it, it would save a natural resource.
"My hope is Dunedin will lead the way."
It was appropriate it started in Dunedin, given it had a colder climate and therefore had higher usage, he said.
The funding would go to Dunedin business Beta Antifreeze, which had established a $550,000 recycling facility at Dunedin's Green Island landfill to collect and recycle used automotive coolant and contaminated glycol from industry and individual users.
A specifically designed recycling machine would recover the glycol from used antifreeze. This could then be used in the production of new coolant.
Beta Antifreeze director Geoff Crosswell said the company planned to expand the programme throughout New Zealand over the next few years.
There was huge potential, given that 2.5 million litres of antifreeze was imported each year.
"It's [the recycled product] as good, if not better than, the original product."
The balance of funding for the project came from Beta Antifreeze and an in-kind contribution from the Dunedin City Council of $30,000.
Dunedin City Council solid waste manager Ian Featherston said the council provided the land and building for the project.
The council had encouraged the project as part of its recycling and waste minimisation strategy, he said. Dr Smith will attend Wanaka's Wastebusters' Gala today.
