Tyron Hartle
on seeing value where others see endings
For Tyron Hartle, waste isn’t an afterthought — it’s an opportunity hiding in plain sight. As Lead Sustainability Partner at WM New Zealand, he helps organisations shift from managing waste to managing resources, turning inefficiency into insight. “Waste is really shorthand for a wasted resource,” he says. “If we apply the true cost of disposal — including the emissions and materials lost along the way — alternatives suddenly make financial sense.”
A qualified environmental geochemist, Tyron’s career has spanned over a decade in the waste industry across South Africa and Aotearoa. His pragmatic mindset runs deep: “I learnt early that ‘sustainable’ isn’t just environmental — it’s economic too. For change to scale, it must make business sense.”
That blend of practicality and purpose defines his approach. When asked what sustainability looks like in his life, he doesn’t picture a lush forest — but a cactus. “It looks tough, can leave you with a few scars, but if you persist, the reward is worth it. A little care goes a long way — every positive outcome is a drop of water.”
His motto — “Super volcano” — might sound unusual, but it’s his anchor against burnout. “It reminds me to focus on what I can control, not the super volcanoes of the world.”
Tyron’s advice to emerging change-makers? “Find what you’re passionate about and become undeniable.” Trends will shift, he says, but deep expertise endures. He believes Aotearoa’s small size is an advantage: “It’s easier to educate and get five million people on the same page than 500 million. Our landscapes are world-renowned — protecting them protects our future.”
He also draws inspiration from Māori principles of kaitiakitanga — guardianship of the environment for future generations — and from local initiatives like All Heart NZ, a social enterprise giving new life to unwanted corporate materials while supporting communities. “They look after both people and planet — that’s the real circular economy.”
Above all, Tyron calls for a cultural and systemic shift in how New Zealand sees waste. “If we can move from viewing waste as a cost of doing business to seeing it as an efficiency opportunity, we’ll unlock massive potential — environmentally and economically.”
Read Tyron’s answers to BLOOMING Sustainability — and be inspired to see value where others see waste.
BLOOMING Sustainability Questionnaire
Name: Tyron Reece Hartle
Company & Title: Lead Sustainability Partner, WM New Zealand
Website & LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/tyron-reece-hartle-4496b399
https://www.wm.nz/our-sustainability/services/
* Guiding Values | Kaupapa
If sustainability were a flower blooming in your life, what would it look like? What nurtures it?
I’d liken sustainability to that of a cactus in the desert. It looks tough, poses challenges to crack, and can certainly leave you with some scars, but if you persist, the reward is certainly worth it. Sustainability is all about managing your available resources, and there aren’t many better examples of that than the humble cactus. In terms of nurturing, a little goes a long way, so every positive outcome no matter the size provides enough nutrients to keep on growing.
A quote, personal motto or whakataukī that reflects your vision:
“Super volcano” is the word I tell myself when I feel overwhelmed or negative about the future. It reminds me to focus on things I can control and not worry about those things I can’t. Burnout in our industry is common, so trying your best to not stress the things out of your control (such as a super volcano erupting) really helps keep me in a positive mindset.
If you could mentor a rising change-maker in Aotearoa, what advice would you share?
Find the thing that you are passionate about and become undeniable. Trends come and go, and economies ebb and flow, but if you are the go-to expert in the area you are passionate about, success will come naturally.
* Leading Change | Arataki
A key moment in your journey that shaped your path:
I learnt quite early in my career that the term ‘sustainable’ isn’t just about the environment but it’s also about the economics. It’s easy to get like-minded people to choose the most environmentally sound product or solution, but to get real widescale adoption, you must also make it the most economically feasible option too.
What’s the main challenge you face in driving sustainability within your sector?
The main challenge is fully understanding the economics of waste. Waste is really the shorthand for a ‘wasted resource’, and the cost of waste is often equated to the cost of disposal. The reality is the cost is much higher, and if you consider all the costs and emissions associated with creating a product, only for part of it to be wasted, you have a compounding cost throughout the supply chain. If we take all those inefficiencies and apply the real cost of disposal, then the alternative options will make more financial sense.
An area you need more support with:
Government policy supporting circular economy principles will of course be amazing, but I strongly believe that educating all New Zealanders and providing understanding of where the shortfalls are in our current system will be the best way to move us in the right direction. An informed public will put pressure on government and businesses, so I think this is a crucial, often overlooked area that requires more support.
An Indigenous perspective you admire and want people to be mindful of:
I’ve loved living in New Zealand since immigrating in early 2020, and although I lack the knowledge and experience of growing up here, the Māori concept of guardianship, or Kaitiaki, really is what all of us in the sustainability field are trying to embody. We need to be responsible and protect our environment for future generations.
Your best approach for engaging stakeholders in meaningful dialogue about ESG:
ESG covers such a broad spectrum and is often such a large beast to tackle. I really try to distil problems or concepts down to their fundamentals and ensure that it is relatable to the target audience or stakeholder group. If you can clearly outline why the audience should care, and the positive outcomes if they make a change, then half the battle is already won.
A sidenote – keep things positive and avoid doomsday prophecies. Rather focus on the positive outcomes if they make a change instead of the negative outcomes if they don’t.
What do you think is Aotearoa’s superpower in creating a sustainable future?
We have a very small population, and although this poses a challenge in some areas (such as achieving economies of scale), it can also make some things easier. It is easier to educate and get 5 million people on the same page vs 500 million people. New Zealand also has so many beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. Coming from overseas, your natural beauty is world renowned, and for New Zealand to remain a destination of choice for both travelers and settlers, we need to protect it.
* Surfing the Green Wave | Kakariki
Books, podcasts, courses or other resources that profoundly shaped your approach to sustainability:
I wouldn’t say that any specific resource has shaped my approach, but rather a willingness to remain open-minded and attempt to understand those viewpoints that oppose mine. If you are open to ideas or concepts that challenge you, then you won’t exist in an echo chamber and almost everything you read or listen to will add value in one way or another.
Events in Aotearoa or globally that you think are must-attend:
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to travel to any international events, but there certainly are a few events here in Aotearoa that are worthwhile. To highlight just a few, the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) host workshops throughout the year which are very informative and the annual Sustainability Leaders Summit is a great event to hear from inspirational thought leaders from New Zealand and abroad.
A sustainable initiative or project in Aotearoa that deserves more attention:
I work closely with a social enterprise called All Heart NZ and they really should be a household name. They are a profit-for-purpose organisation that finds a new home for unwanted corporate materials, creates jobs and upskilling opportunities, and uses the funds raised to support their local communities. All Heart NZ looks after both people and planet, and that’s what we’re all trying to do.
If your work could plant one seed of change for the future, what would it be?
If I can assist with shifting the perception of waste from a ‘cost of doing business’ to an opportunity for improved efficiency and better financial returns, I’d be a happy chap.
The leader(s) you endorse for a future edition of Blooming Sustainability:
I’d love LJ Unuia, Chief Encourager at All Heart NZ, to share his journey and promote the amazing work they are doing to support local communities and progress Aotearoa’s circular economy.
