10 (un)sustainable things you didn’t know about Construction & Builds in Taranaki
1. Construction & Demolition Waste’s Impact on Landfills
Nationwide, construction and demolition waste makes up 69.4% of Aotearoa NZ waste (MfE, June 2025).
In New Plymouth, this figure is around 60%, showing the critical role that construction waste plays in landfill growth.
NPDC’s Sorting Depot diverts tonnes of commercial waste in its first year.
2. NPDC Waste Management Priorities
The NPDC waste management plan lists construction waste as one of the four main factors that influence the amount of waste going to landfill, highlighting its importance in local policy debates.
NPDC 2023, Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
3. Exceptional Waste Diversion Achievement
There’s a notable building, not too far from Taranaki (Ōtaki, Kāpiti coast), that has achieved a 99.9% waste diversion rate using the Sustainable rating scheme The Living Building Challenge.
This example serves as a benchmark for what can be achieved when waste minimisation strategies are rigorously applied from the beginning of the project.
This building is one of about 32 in the world that have met the most ambitious sustainable building rating scheme.
Te Wānanga O Raukawa - Pā Reo | BRANZ
4. The Sorting Depot Advantage
New Plymouth is one of the few regions with a district council operating a commercial waste facility, The Sorting Depot.
Although much of the material is treated wood, the facility currently posts an overall ~35% waste diversion rate, demonstrating a tangible approach to construction waste management.
The Sorting Depot, Commercial Waste Recovery
5. Innovative Reuse Initiatives
The Junction initiative accepts construction leftovers, quality materials from deconstruction/demolition projects, and good timber, offering these resources for free resale.
This model not only diverts waste but also encourages a circular economy approach.
Other local options include Revive Building, Building Traders, and reuse by building companies at their yards, to reduce new purchasing on upcoming projects.
Drop-off | The Junction
NPDC Construction Waste Reduction Plan
6. Planning Requirements vs. Design Practice
NPDC mandates that all commercial builds over $500,000 produce a waste management plan.
These plans allow engagement with architects, project managers and builders, but they don’t enforce reductions in waste at the design and construction stages.
There’s a clear opportunity here: integrating NPDC sustainable designer reviews could further enhance waste reduction and passive design features to reduce waste, maintenance, as well as operational energy costs. In other words, moving from voluntary to mandatory.
REBRI Waste minimisation plan (PDF)
NPDC Construction waste - NPDC Eco design
7. Builder Adoption of Waste Minimisation
Many builders in Taranaki have begun incorporating waste minimisation practices primarily due to specific client requirements, but some also integrate sustainability as a business focus.
Although the results aren’t as optimal as hoped, especially regarding waste ending up in landfill, the commitment to continuous improvement is encouraging.
8. Solar Panels: Misconceptions and Realities
There’s a common misconception that adding solar panels automatically makes a building “sustainable”.
In Aotearoa - New Zealand, where a large portion of power is already sourced sustainably (~80% of energy on a yearly average is sourced from renewables), it’s often more impactful to first improve a home’s thermal envelope and water heating systems, which are primary energy consumers.
MBIE Energy in New Zealand 2023
9. The Value of Rainwater Harvesting
Many aren’t aware that rainwater harvesting is legal in New Zealand and promoted by the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ).
As the stewards of the Building Research Levy Act, BRANZ drives much of the research and guidance on material usage and building initiatives.
For further details, Level.org.nz’s water tab is an excellent resource.
Level.org,nz Mains or rainwater?
10. Beyond Barrels: Integrated Rainwater Systems
While many picture rainwater harvesting as little more than barrels collecting water, rainwater harvesting systems can be integrated directly into the built environment.
Such systems can help mitigate flooding and recharge groundwater, offering a multifaceted approach to sustainability.
Dryland-harvesting home gathers sun, rain, food, & more.
10 + 1. Community Engagement through Sustainable Trails
The Taranaki Sustainable Builds Trail is an excellent event that introduces local sustainable solutions while connecting partners in the NZ sustainability scene. This trail demonstrates the diverse ways Taranaki is approaching sustainable construction and community engagement.
Examples include:
Kahu Glen House (featured in 2024 and in 2025): A build that integrates rainwater harvesting for its water supply, uses passive design for heating and cooling, and is constructed from sustainable materials such as timber and hempcrete. More info here.
High-Strength Rammed Earth Home (2024 & 2025): Featured in last year’s build trail, this house has minimal maintenance requirements and promises longevity beyond the typical 80-year lifespan of New Zealand homes. The land on which this building is located was purchased collectively by a group of owners, allowing each of them to acquire a piece of oceanfront property they could not have bought individually. More info here.
Fenton Street Renovation (featuring this year in 2025): A multipurpose renovated building serving as a home, café, gin distillery, art gallery, and studio. Such adaptive reuse projects illustrate that retrofitting old buildings, especially since new builds constitute only 1–2% of the total building stock, can have a massive impact on overall sustainability. More info here.
More builds and events on www.sustainablebackyards.org.nz/all-builds
