Wanaka Wastebusters may take over its Central Otago counterpart and wants a ''small share'' of the district recycling contract to remain viable in its new territory.
The future of Central Otago WasteBusters has been uncertain since it lost the contract to provide recycling services in the district.
The Central Otago District Council gave the contract to refuse collection contractor AllWaste and a new, expanded kerbside recycling service will begin at the end of this month.
WasteBusters was on the brink of insolvency last year and was bailed out by the council, but the recycling organisation began shedding staff last month, in the wake of the lost contract. About 20 staff have been made redundant.
Wanaka Wastebusters manager Sue Coutts told the council yesterday Central Otago WasteBusters was considering winding up at the end of June and it had asked her group to consider operating its Alexandra base.
The Central Otago group had built up substantial assets and had a reuse shop and a stable customer base of business recyclers across the district, she said.
Both groups shared a common goal -''working towards zero waste and building sustainable communities''.
The Wanaka organisation had a proven track record and proposed retaining the ''local'' recycling hubs in Central Otago and creating jobs for residents, Ms Coutts said.
It wanted the council contract for drop-off recycling services in Alexandra, the Teviot Valley and the Maniototo; to lease WasteBusters' Boundary Rd, Alexandra, base; and to continue the reuse shop at that location.
The proposal included employing four to six staff at the start and, as the operation grew, it would consider taking over the Cromwell drop-off recycling service.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said a ''marriage'' between the two recycling businesses was a good option as there was a risk of losing all the benefits of the work, enthusiasm and experience of the Central Otago group.
The council decided to explore the proposal outlined by Wanaka Wastebusters. Cr Barrie Wills said it was ''an opportunity we shouldn't miss''. Cr Martin McPherson said the loss of jobs and social benefit from the Central Otago operation was sad.
A special general meeting is being held by Central Otago WasteBusters on Tuesday, May 26, in Alexandra to discuss its future.
