An average of 110,000 customers visit Bayfair weekly.
More businesses in the Bay are diverting waste from the landfill but one expert says the Government needs to up its game as New Zealand lags behind the rest of the world.
Waste Watchers director Marty Hoffart said times were changing as businesses responded to the increasing environmental awareness of their customers.
"Some companies in the Western Bay are diverting over 85 per cent from landfill, which is a remarkable achievement. Some are saving huge dollars in the process."
The most common items to recycle were cardboard and paper, which was made into new boxes and paper products, while another was food scraps, glass bottles and materials off construction sites including wood, Gib and rubble.
However, there was only so much that could be done within the free market system that was favoured by the Government, he said.
"We could create thousands of new jobs in the resource recovery sector. Other countries are doing it," Mr Hoffart said.
More than three million plastic shopping bags were buried each week and he supported consumers paying a small recycling fee on products including electronic waste and tyres.
Meanwhile, Bayfair Shopping Centre had implemented several successful measures, which were the first of its kind for a retail development in New Zealand, and had reduced its environmental impact.
Centre manager Steve Ellingford said its LED Project was expected to deliver savings of more than $100,000 per year.
"If the cost of energy was not to increase over the next 10 years, we would expect to see savings of more than $1.5 million. As well as this, in 2014 we diverted more than 330,000kg of paper and cardboard, over 35,000kg of glass, metal and plastics and over 75,000kg in organic waste from landfill, and in 2015 we know this will be higher again."
Next year Bayfair would install an Electrical Vehicle Charge Station and was investigating larger solar energy initiatives, he said.
Almost 70 per cent of waste from the mall was diverted from the landfill every month, as tenants embraced the recycling concept.
"A strong environmental culture, staff induction and retailer training have delivered savings over half a million dollars over the last 10 years."
On average 110,000 customers visit Bayfair each week and water management was a big focus.
"Bayfair has the only rainwater/greywater collection system in a retail environment in New Zealand. This project was completed in 2014, in partnership with regional council, and is a sustainable market-leading initiative that we are all very proud of."
As the hub of its local community with annual customer visits in the millions, it goes without saying that it had an impact on the region, he said.
"As a business, we are aware that the impact of a business like ours places the region under strain and we want to take steps to ensure that our impact is as minimal as possible."
Down to Earth - Sustainability & Lifestyle Expo takes place on November 28-29 at ASB Arena, Mount Maunganui.
By the Numbers:
* LED project expected to deliver a saving of more than $100,000 per annum.
* In 2014, more than 330,000kg of paper and cardboard, more than 35,000kg of glass, metal and plastics and more than 75,000kg in organic waste was diverted from landfill.
* Investigating larger solar energy initiatives for the future.
* Installation of Electrical Vehicle Charge Station next year.
* Has the only rain water/greywater collection system in a retail environment in New Zealand.
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