City’s lack of recycling ‘embarrassing’

Hamilton’s lack of recycling options has been deemed ‘‘embarrassing’’ by residents.

The comment was delivered at a public hearing into Hamilton City Council’s new waste collection proposal, to introduce wheeled bins and more recycling options.

At present people can only recycle two types of plastics. Council’s proposed service would enable people to recycle more, including ice cream and yoghurt containers, as well as the oncerejected pizza box.

Overall the city could double the amount it recycles.

Hamilton mum Amanda Board told the hearings committee her family were conscious consumers and the city’s lack of recycling options was an embarrassment.

‘‘It’s ridiculous to think as consumers we can buy it but cannot recycle it. Recycling responsibility has been educated in my children’s schools and yet they can not recycle the waste they create at home or in the community.

‘‘It’s waste, and there’s no point in debating whether we should have biodegradable packaging. The waste is created, it’s the society we live in. It just needs to go in the appropriate places that are already there.’’

Board believes the council needs to establish clear, basic guidelines when it comes to administering wheeled bins.

She also said the proposed smaller food waste bin was a positive addition.

‘‘People are becoming responsible for their waste. For years you’ve just been able to put it in this magical black bag on the kerb and it disappears.

‘‘One thing is people can’t have compost on thier properties, so the fact that people are able to get rid of their food waste in a responsible way is really important. If you take out all of the stuff that can be recycled, the amount of waste is minimal.’’

But other speakers at Thursday morning’s hearing at the council were worried about vandals and thieves targeting the wheeled bins. They also thought larger bins would encourage people to create more rubbish.

Nick Willemse said it was a fact of human nature, that with bigger bins, people would become less concerned about reducing waste.

The proposal attracted a record 2793 public submissions and about 50 people asked to speak to the hearings committee, during the two-day hearing that concluded on Friday.