Rates increase on recycling
While we have long been prompted to improve our recycling practices, if we really want to save the planet we need to be looking at reducing our consumption in general.
It will be better for our pockets too, as ratepayers in the Waimakariri are set to be hit with a rates increase as a result of China’s decision to ban 24 types of solid waste.
From the start of this year, China began enforcing its new National Sword policy, which sets a much tougher standard for contamination levels for items such as unsorted mixed paper and various plastics.
Councillor Wendy Doody, who sits on the solid and hazardous waste working party, said the new policy meant kerbside collections and the general rate would be impacted, with the kerbside collection going up from approximately $86 to $112, and from $76 to $102 for the recycling-only collection area in Ohoka, Mandeville and Swannanoa. The general rate is likely to go up by about $8.70 per property.
Commercial collection companies would also face increased costs with new charges of $95/tonne + GST ($109.25/tonne including GST) for recyclables at Southbrook Resource Recovery Park.
It is expected about 4,400 tonnes will be collected over the next year in the kerbside collection, as well as more than 1,000 tonnes taken direct to the transfer station. Overall the signalled changes are likely to equate to an increased cost of more than $350,000.
‘‘The real risk is that ultimately some plastics may end up in the landfill,’’ Doody said.
‘‘The only long term solution is to reduce our consumption, we need to think seriously about what we buy and how it’s packaged.’’
Doody said there had been a significant shift in people’s attitudes towards recycling in recent years, which had come through in submissions on waste management, including the three-bin debate.
However while most were doing a good job with recycling, it was now necessary to step things up and look at reducing waste in the first place.
Local authorities also needed to continue lobbying central government for better regulations around packaging to reduce the amount waste in the first place, she said.
The proposal was up for debate at today’s draft Long Term Plan deliberations and, if approved, increases will apply from the beginning of July.