Industry Experts
Trust in our 20+ years of experience in the waste sector
Future Focused
Your long term goals are achievable, starting today. We’re committed to challenging the way resources are used on our finite planet
Practical Solutions
Expect a pragmatic approach to your big sustainability questions. We’ll help you design the research or systems you need to minimise resource use
About Us
Working together towards a bright, bold, regenerative world
We’re an Auckland-based sustainability consultancy with a hands-on approach to waste minimisation and resource efficiency.
Work with us along your sustainability journey to move away from the linear model of ‘material-to-waste’ to a circular, ‘material-to-material’ model that respects earth’s resources and our future generations. Our partnership approach means we work with you to complete thorough research and co-create purpose-built systems that will positively impact your organisation, and the world.
Together we can look at things differently to innovate, design better solutions, and keep learning as we go. Instead of dragging the past forward, let’s work together to create the future!
Services
+ Research
We are experts at undertaking national waste research projects for central governement, industry bodies, and businesses.
+ Waste auditing
Our team undertakes solid waste audits and recycling system reviews to provide waste composition analysis and reporting.
+ Resource efficiency strategy
We can review material flows and systems - from procurement, to use and disposal - to provide a road map of opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability.
+ Training & implementation
Working with you, we’ll develop procedures to meet waste minimisation requirements and can provide training sessions for your staff and contractors.
+ Public speaking
We’ve presented at conferences, board meetings, and training events. Engage us to speak on material use, waste and recycling systems, and sustainability.
Meet Sunshine
I’m passionate about questioning the status quo, exploring new opportunities, implementing new systems, and educating stakeholders.
Sunshine Yates
Director/Owner
Since starting in the waste and recycling sector in 1999, Sunshine has worked closely with businesses, community organisations, sector groups, and local and central government, with a commitment to working alongside clients to create meaningful solutions. Combining practical experience in the waste industry with research, writing and presentation skills, Sunshine provides consistent quality and informative results.
+ See past projects
- Author of the Rethinking Rubbish and Recycling report, 2019, commissioned by the WasteMINZ TA Forum. The report provides an in-depth analysis of domestic kerbside rubbish and recycling, based on waste audits undertaken in eight territorial authority areas.
- Contracted by WasteMINZ to generate the first NZ study on household food waste, as part of a national Love Food Hate Waste project. Developed a methodology, organised and undertook large scale domestic food waste audits in Auckland, Wellington, Waipa, New Plymouth, Waimakariri, Hurunui, Selwyn, Ashburton and Timaru. Compiled, analysed and presented the data (2014-2015). Repeated the project on a smaller scale in 2018, in Auckland, Waipa, Wellington and Waimakariri.
- Conducted the 2017-2018 Keep New Zealand Beautiful national litter research project, to “reveal insights and attitudes to litter amongst New Zealanders to inform future KNZB communications, programmes and interventions”.
- Sustainability advisor to Waitemata District Health Board (2017-2019)
- Recent speaking engagements:
- FMANZ (Facilities Managers Association of New Zealand), 2019
- IRD Facilities Manger’s conference, 2019
- Auckland Airport Foodcourt Retailers, 2019
- Reversing Global Warming – Introduction to Drawdown, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 2019
- Designed recycling systems:
- Mt Eden and North Shore stadiums during Rugby World Cup 2011
- Designed and implemented recycling systems at Mt Smart Stadium
- Designed and implemented recycling systems for students and staff at
- Auckland University of Technology’s Akoranga campus,
- Unitec Institute of Technology’s Mt Albert, Waitakere and Albany campuses, and
- Western Springs College.
- Consultant for the EnviroSmart® Programme, an Environmental Management Programme sponsored by local and regional authorities and the Ministry for the Environment, 2006-2009
- Designed the Council Ecobiz programme 2010 for councils in the Auckland region
- Introduced the concept of the Wash Against Waste trailer to New Zealand, assisting a local community organisation to gaining funding to build and run the scheme
- Project managed waste audits of domestic kerbside refuse for numerous local authorities
- Undertook audits of in-house waste streams, and designed recommendations for recycling systems for:
Sunshine Yates
Director/Owner
Since starting in the waste and recycling sector in 1999, Sunshine has worked closely with businesses, community organisations, sector groups, and local and central government, with a commitment to working alongside clients to create meaningful solutions. Combining practical experience in the waste industry with research, writing and presentation skills, Sunshine provides consistent quality and informative results.
+ See past projects
- Co-author of Standardising Kerbside Collections in Aotearoa project for WasteMINZ and the Ministry for the Environment, 2020.
- Author of the Rethinking Rubbish and Recycling report, 2019, commissioned by the WasteMINZ TA Forum. The report provides an in-depth analysis of domestic kerbside rubbish and recycling, based on waste audits undertaken in eight territorial authority areas.
- Contracted by WasteMINZ to generate the first NZ study on household food waste, as part of a national Love Food Hate Waste project. Developed a methodology, organised and undertook large scale domestic food waste audits in Auckland, Wellington, Waipa, New Plymouth, Waimakariri, Hurunui, Selwyn, Ashburton and Timaru. Compiled, analysed and presented the data (2014-2015). Repeated the project on a smaller scale in 2018, in Auckland, Waipa, Wellington and Waimakariri.
- Conducted the 2017-2018 National Litter Behaviour Research for Keep New Zealand Beautiful national litter research project, to “reveal insights and attitudes to litter amongst New Zealanders to inform future KNZB communications, programmes and interventions”.
- Sustainability advisor to Waitemata District Health Board (2017-2019)
- Recent speaking engagements:
- FMANZ (Facilities Managers Association of New Zealand), 2019
- IRD Facilities Manger’s conference, 2019
- Auckland Airport Foodcourt Retailers, 2019
- Reversing Global Warming – Introduction to Drawdown, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 2019
- Designed recycling systems:
- Mt Eden and North Shore stadiums during Rugby World Cup 2011
- Designed and implemented recycling systems at Mt Smart Stadium
- Designed and implemented recycling systems for students and staff at
- Auckland University of Technology’s Akoranga campus,
- Unitec Institute of Technology’s Mt Albert, Waitakere and Albany campuses, and
- Western Springs College.
- Consultant for the EnviroSmart® Programme, an Environmental Management Programme sponsored by local and regional authorities and the Ministry for the Environment, 2006-2009
- Designed the Council Ecobiz programme 2010 for councils in the Auckland region
- Introduced the concept of the Wash Against Waste trailer to New Zealand, assisting a local community organisation to gaining funding to build and run the scheme
- Project managed waste audits of domestic kerbside refuse for numerous local authorities
- Undertook audits of in-house waste streams, and designed recommendations for recycling systems for dozens of organisations.
+ See selection of past clients
Parliamentary Services
The Department of Corrections
The Correspondence School
Department of Building and Housing
WasteMINZ
Auckland International Airport
Meridian Energy
Contact Energy
Watercare Services
Metrowater
NZ Refining Company
Transpower
Vodafone NZ
Telecom NZ
BRANZ
ANZ
BNZ
Kiwi Income Property Trust
NZ Post
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland Zoo
McDonald’s Restaurants
Skycity Entertainment Group
Smith & Nephew
LSG Sky Chefs
ATEED
Panuku
Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Waitemata District Health Board
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board
Visy Recycling
New Zealand Aids Foundation
And many local authorities
Our collaborators
As a consultancy with many years in the industry we have developed a network of collaborators with whom we can partner to ensure your needs are met and exceeded.
Say hello
Curious to know how our services can benefit your business?
Get in touch for a chat