New GM as Wastebusters marks 20th anniversary

From Wastebusters:

Wastebusters Board has appointed Tony Pfeiffer to be the new General Manager for Wastebusters.

Board Chair Sally Battson said the Board is delighted to have someone with Tony’s skills and experience joining the zero waste social enterprise as the GM.

“It’s very timely to be welcoming Tony to Wastebusters in the week when we are also formally farewelling our former GM, Sue Coutts and celebrating 20 years of Wastebusters serving our community.

“It gives us a perfect opportunity to reflect on the inspirational, industry-leading work done by Sue over the last twenty years and to look forward, with excitement, to what might be achievable in the next twenty years. 

“We hope the community will join with us on Friday 27th to help us mark this very special occasion of Wastebusters 20 year anniversary,” she said.

Tony moved to Wanaka about 18 months ago and has been settling into his new community by building a home here and joining the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust Board.

He has 30 years’ experience in the electricity utilities sector, most recently holding the position of Managing Director of Enova Community Energy (a community owned Social Enterprise) in Byron Bay.

Tony has been a board member of the Australian Power Institute and he has previously been Chair of Green Cross Australia (a resilience and sustainability organisation).

“Tony’s experience as a senior executive working in business strategy, economic management, operational management and business performance will be of real benefit to Wastebusters,” said Sally.

Tony said it was an exciting time to join Wastebusters as they celebrate their 20 year anniversary.

“We’re seeing a huge global shift in momentum around humanity’s environmental stewardship of the planet.

“Wastebusters is a small cog in the wheel, but they are very much at the forefront of this change, and carry significant weight across our region and nationally across New Zealand,” he said.

Wastebusters staff will also formally farewell former GM Sue Coutts this week, after her planned farewell was put on hold during lockdown.

Sue left Wastebusters in March 2020 to take up a new position as Director of External Affairs for the Zero Waste Network, based in Wellington.

“Wastebusters has been a real community effort over the years, with hundreds of people contributing their time, skills and passion over the last 20 years to make it what it is today.

“It’s great to be leaving Wastebusters in capable hands with a strong team who will take it to the next level,” said Sue.