Our Movers and Shakers series is spotlighting Aotearoa's leading sustainability professionals transforming the way we design, build and operate our buildings and homes. These are the people leading the charge for a more sustainable built environment throughout Aotearoa.
Tyron Hartle
As Lead Sustainability Partner at WM New Zealand, Tyron Hartle is spearheading smart waste management solutions to help businesses, buildings, cities and communities. He’s passionate about progressing Aotearoa towards a circular future.
You studied environmental sciences in your home country of South Africa - what inspired your pathway?
I never knew what I wanted to do careerwise, but I was fascinated with science at school. I started studying nuclear physics but found it too theoretical, so I pivoted to earth sciences as I really enjoyed getting out in nature and getting my hands dirty - the real determining factor of my career pathway! I specialised in environmental geochemistry and when the opportunity came up after my studies to get into the waste game, I jumped at it.
You worked in the waste sector in South Africa before shifting to Aotearoa. Any learnings you’ve transferred?
Everything I learned in South Africa was transferable – it was just learning how to apply it to New Zealand conditions. Shifting to a developed island nation with low population density and challenges around achieving viable economies of scale was tricky at first - but you soon realise the big picture challenges are the same for everyone. If you can manage regulation, education and remuneration, you’re on the right track no matter where you are in the world.
WMNZ’s sustainability strategy, Porohita, targets carbon neutrality by 2050. Tell us more!
One of the biggest areas of focus for WM is the electrification of our truck fleet. Diesel usage makes up around 90 percent of WM’s operational emissions and with over 950 trucks in our fleet, alternative energy is the best way to make a significant impact. We’ve converted over 40 trucks to EV at our East Tāmaki Workshop since 2018.
Another WM ambition is to develop new recovery solutions here in Aotearoa.
Our future lies in creating solutions within our borders and closing the loop of a circular economy here – instead of sending materials overseas. This will keep materials in use for longer, make New Zealand less reliant on an everchanging commodity market and ensure we create local jobs and opportunities.
As a nation are we onboard with waste management, climate change mitigation and a circular economy?
No, unfortunately we really aren’t. The tricky thing is we are often in echo chambers - where most of the people we work or engage with are onboard - so we think everyone is on the same page.
Plenty of Kiwis are struggling to put food on the table and although better management of waste, especially food waste, would be helpful it often isn’t a main priority. There are also those on the other end of the spectrum that can afford a linear model of take, make and dispose - this is a tough demographic to change.
The doomsday prophecies about climate change haven’t worked over the past 20 years. The best way to bring everyone along on the journey is to promote the positives of a low carbon, circular economy – which is more local jobs, less reliance on foreign resources, lower prices, higher GDP etc.
Recent MfE statistics show we’re one of the highest generators of waste per person in the OECD. Are there weak points in our waste infrastructure?
The reality is we’re a long, skinny country, making transport expensive. Our low population density means it’s challenging to achieve economies of scale. Recovery solutions are often not viable investments, and those economics don’t always stand up without government funding or incentives.
Most of the products and packaging we use are also imported, meaning we have materials entering our supply chains that often don’t have local recovery options - adding greater volumes of waste requiring disposal.
All these factors make it challenging to provide standardised recovery solutions across Aotearoa. It will require a significant shift in our current approach to move us in the right direction – with further investment in education, infrastructure and changes in policy.
The NZGBC has recently released its Operational Waste Calculator and a new guide to help building owners sustainably manage operational waste. You assisted in the creation of both. Can you tell us about them?
The Operational Waste Calculator helps architects and project managers design suitably sized waste storage areas for new commercial buildings and developments. This is crucial to ensure there’s enough space for managing waste, separating recoverable materials and providing adequate access for servicing waste vehicles.
The New Zealand Guide to Operational Waste for Buildings provides best practice guidance for new and existing commercial buildings on how to manage waste as sustainably as possible. It also offers support to help Kiwi businesses elevate their waste management knowledge.
What’s the biggest buzz of your job?
I really enjoy peeking behind the curtain of all the awesome customers I work with. Whether it’s a manufacturing facility, a grocery store or an aircraft hangar, the real buzz comes from seeing where changes in processes can help them reduce waste and seeing their eyes light up from “ah-ha” moments.
Your favourite green building?
I’m sure a few eyes will roll but my favourite green building is WM’s 5 Green Star rated head office in East Tāmaki. It was a rather stressful experience packing up my life and moving to New Zealand, but the WM head office became a central figure of continuity in my life. Our WM head office was, and continues to be, a place I look forward to working at each day. It feels pretty special.