It is one of the many daily practices which have won the motel and motor camp a Qualmark Gold Enviro Award - one of only 12 awarded to motel and motor camps in New Zealand.
Continued debate about climate change, global warming, carbon footprints and environmental sustainability has led to a shift in tourist expectations which relate directly to environmental aspects of their holiday.
So park owners Lyn and Terry McLaren have aimed to become a responsible business with a balanced approach to economic, environmental and social priorities.
"We live in a picturesque part of the city. It's a hidden treasure and we want to protect it," Mrs McLaren said.
As well as the popular recycling bins, they have a worm farm for composting vegetable and fruit scraps and a pellet fire to heat the amenities block. They also collect rainwater from the roof to irrigate the gardens; water is heated by gas; electrical appliances are put on timers, which has reduced electricity consumption 7%; and they have invested in a glass-crushing machine, which turns bottles into sand.
"At $5000 the glass crusher is a big investment, but it's worth it.
"It means we don't have to pay for it to be taken away, and we don't have to pay for paving aggregate," Mr McLaren said.
"We use the glass sand for paths on the Ross Creek Reserve track, filling holes in the park grounds, and filtering the soap out of the water from the car wash area before it goes into the Leith.
"Why send something off to landfill when we can use it?"
Mrs McLaren said, once the systems were implemented, it was easy to live sustainably.
"We're just doing our part for our generation, and generations to come."
Mrs McLaren said the majority of visitors to the park - particularly Europeans - were "right into living sustainably" and used the facilities in an environmentally friendly way.
"But probably, the Kiwi visitors are the worst. They take a lot of encouraging to use the facilities."
Businesses are awarded gold, silver or bronze Enviro Awards for meeting strict criteria, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, conservation initiatives and community activities.
Owners of the park for the past nine years, Mr and Mrs McLaren hoped their actions would keep it looking in pristine condition for another 20 to 30 years.
"As long as everyone does their little bit for the environment here, there's no reason why it shouldn't," Mrs McLaren said.
