Glass Bottle Recycling

"The Whistling Frog Cafe & Bar, in the Catlins, has just purchased a $4,000, machine called "The Oppressor", that will reduce their bottle waste glass into sand and reduce their carbon footprint.

The machine which was invented in New Zealand is one of the first machines that really addresses the enormous problem of what to do with bottles from a restaurant and holiday park, Mr Paul Bridson, the owner says.

Being so remote and not served by Clutha Recycling Centres the cafe has been looking for a 'green' alternative to this waste management problem.

They have been very impressed by the fact that one 80 litre rubbish can full of assorted bottles, converts into a safe 15 litre bucket of sand which can be used as mulch, concrete mix or road fines around the McLean Falls Holiday Park at their venue in the Catlins Conservation Park.

The cafe is offering the service to Papatowai locals who can bring down their bottles to the Cafe and they will be recycled using the machine for less than they were paying to havethem removed from the district.  This will further reduce their carbon footprint and save the shipping costs.  The fee will help to pay for the replacement parts to keep the machine operating at peak performance.

The beer, wine & champaign bottles need to be clean, have caps and metal neck liners removed prior to recycling.  The "Oppressor" takes care of the rest.."