The chair of a trust that will operate a new recycling centre in Whanganui says environmental education is also an aim of the project.
The centre, on Maori-owned land at the city's old prison, was being formally opened at midday on Wednesday by Environment Minister Amy Adams.
It opens for business on Thursday and will take a much larger range of recyclable materials than the smaller centre at Peat St it replaced.
The centre was set up through a partnership between Te Runanga o Tupoho and the district council.
Chair Ken Mair said the centre has facilities for environmental education.
Mr Mair said although iwi have had a fractious relationship with the council at times, the centre signifies a very strong relationship.
He said four people will run the operation and it is hoped that within 12 months another 20 people will be employed.
