New Zealand — Recycling Week 2025 is here, running from 20–26 October, and the country is set to shine green in support of this year’s theme, “Identifying Opportunities.” From north to south, landmarks and public spaces will light up to spotlight the importance of reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling.

Monuments showing their support include the Sky Tower and Aotea Square in Auckland, Victoria Bridge in Hamilton, the Gisborne Clock Tower, Hopwood Clock Tower in Palmerston North, Christchurch Airport Control Tower, Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch, St Paul’s Cathedral in Dunedin, and many more. Even iconic spaces such as the New Brighton Pier and Tūhura Otago Museum will glow green, creating a visible reminder that waste minimisation is a nationwide movement.

These light-ups join a vibrant programme of public Recycling Week events. Reclaim will open its Auckland facilities for factory tours on 15, 20, and 21 October to give the public a peek at what happens to commercial recycling, while Echo Tech will host E-Waste Days to safely divert electronics from landfill. Re:Circle is hosting Kids Markets in Hamilton, Onehunga, and Takapuna so children can discover how small actions—like giving their toys, clothes, and books a second life—can make a big difference.

The campaign is also launching the Rethink Sessions, a podcast-style mini-series featuring conversations with Leigh Hart, Miss New Zealand 2025 - Britney Pringle, sports commentator and podcast host Finn Caddie, Matthew Luxon of Localised, and Sophie Wolland from Love Food Hate Waste. The series concludes on Reflection Friday where insights from the week will be revisited, and myths around waste challenged, by Reclaim’s National Operations Manager, Bruce Ireland.

Alongside these, cultural events like the Eco Diwali Festival at Harbour Grounds highlight the intersection of sustainability and community celebration, bringing people together under a shared commitment to a greener New Zealand.

“Recycling Week is about more than recycling. It’s about behaviour change, transparency, and community spirit,” says Inge Van Der Merwe, Sustainability Manager at Reclaim. “Seeing landmarks across the country light up reminds us that every part of New Zealand has a role to play in identifying opportunities to do better.”

It’s not too late to register your organisation for Recycling Week 2025! Registered participants receive free access to a digital toolkit of customisable social media templates, posters, activity ideas, and other communications materials. With hundreds of organisations on board, Recycling Week 2025 is set to make its biggest impact yet.

Recycling Week 2025 runs 20–26 October. Register your organisation for FREE at https://rwhub.reclaim.co.nz.

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