Wheelie bins improvement — Wastebusters
THE move to introduce wheelie bins around the Queenstown Lakes district will have its benefits, Wastebusters says.
Last week it was announced wheelie bins would replace the blue plastic bags and black crates around the district as part of the new waste services contract to begin next July.
Each household will be provided with one smaller 140litre bin for waste to landfill, a 140litre bin for glass recycling and a larger 240litre bin for mixed recyclables.
Wastebusters spokeswoman Gina Dempster believed the move would be beneficial for both permanent and temporary residents.
‘‘In our district we have a relatively high proportion of houses that aren’t always occupied. The upside of a wheelie bin system is that residents and visitors can put their rubbish out early, without dogs ripping it open.’’
Under the new contract, Ms Dempster said Wastebusters had been given a longterm opportunity to develop its zero waste education programmes, and believed the council’s investment in them would pay off.
‘‘The key to reducing the amount of rubbish people put in their bins is not what kind of receptacle they use, but whether they have access to good zero waste education that prioritises reduction, reuse and recycling.
‘‘We believe the council’s investment in zero waste educa tion will pay off by motivating people to make less waste and informing them of all the different options they have to reduce, reuse and recycle.
‘‘Over time, we hope that putting rubbish in the bin will become a last resort for everyone in the Queenstown Lakes district.’’
Council spokeswoman Rebecca Pitts said other reasons for the introduction of wheelie bins was the improved safety of collection crews, reduced risk of windblown litter and a more consistent service districtwide.