Wastebusters officially started working towards zero waste with a staff of just three in 2000.
Communications manager Gina Dempster said the organisation now employed more than 50 full-time and part-time staff over two sites in Wanaka and Alexandra.
More than 760 businesses recycled with Wastebusters and last year about 135,000 customers took home something from its re-use shops, she said.
This week, Wastebusters also announced Tony Pfeiffer had been appointed general manager, replacing Sue Coutts.
Board chairwoman Sally Battson said today’s celebrations were ‘‘a perfect opportunity to reflect on the inspirational, industry-leading work done by Sue over the last 20 years and to look forward, with excitement, to what might be achievable in the next 20 years.’’
Mr Pfeiffer moved to Wanaka 18 months ago and has had 30 years’ experience in the electricity utilities sector, most recently holding the position of managing director of Enova Community Energy (a community-owned social enterprise) in Byron Bay, in New South Wales.
