Rangit¯ıkei recycling in reach

Instead of needlessly dumping a whole lot of material, Rangitı¯kei towns could soon bring in kerbside recycling.

Officials are considering introducing a fortnightly kerbside recycling and weekly rubbish collection service in Bulls, Marton, Hunterville, Mangaweka and Taihape.

Currently, urban rubbish is collected via commercial arrangements between residents and waste management companies, without any council involvement.

Last year, the Rangitı¯kei District Council conducted a study that revealed more than 75 per cent of rubbish going to landfill in the district could be recycled, prompting officials to urge residents to create compost heaps, worm farms and use recycling centres. It showed 39 per cent of the district’s rubbish going to landfill was organic kitchen waste, 22 per cent was plastic and 17 per cent paper.

The council is asking for quotes from waste companies to determine the cost of a more environmentally friendly approach.

It received 974 responses after asking the community whether they wanted a recycling system injected into their rates – 541 agreed and 433 wanted the status quo.

Although responses from Hunterville and Mangaweka were mixed, and not decisive for either option, the trucks would likely pass through the two towns on the way to Taihape, so including them made sense, customer services and communications team leader Carol Downs said.

Councillor Angus Gordon said it cost ratepayers about the same to have rubbish bags as it would to implement the recycling system. Just as the council is forced to treat sewage for the good of the environment, it should also separate rubbish from recycling.

‘‘Splitting up the waste stream into recyclables and non-recyclables is the right thing to do.

‘‘Sometimes there isn’t a clear mandate but there is a genuine need to do things.’’

For example, it was unrealistic for families on restricted incomes and elderly members who didn’t drive to use transfer stations.

‘‘Yet they still pay to buy a rubbish bag and if you look at the number of rubbish bags people use and the amount it was going to cost to have a full waste and recycling service offered, it’s approximately the same.’’

A final decision would be made once indicative costs have been sought.

GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF The Rangit¯ıkei District Council received 974 responses from residents over whether they wanted a kerbside collection recycling system – like the one in action in Palmerston North.