Council looks at waste initiatives

Draft plan to survey actions to reduce contamination in kerbside recycling

Councillors got their first look today at an updated draft plan to minimise and manage waste in Waipā. The plan must be reviewed every six years for council to continue receiving the government’s waste levy.

The levy, worth close to $400,000 this financial year and climbing, funds most of Waipā‘s waste minimisation activities.

The exceptions are kerbside recycling, emptying litter bins and enforcement of illegal dumping which are funded by rates.

Transport manager Bryan Hudson said in the last few years there had been a massive change in the waste minimisation space, opening up opportunities for communities prepared to embrace and drive change.

“We’ve seen the near collapse of the international recycling commodity market while community expectations and awareness of waste have increased,” he said.

“Waste minimisation is no longer just about reduce, reuse and recycle; the focus is on a circular economy, making use of all resources as many times as possible. That’s where we need to get to and we can leverage government incentives to help.”

Council’s draft plan will propose actions to reduce contamination in kerbside recycling, plan for a Waipāwide resource recovery network and help divert and reuse construction and demolition waste.

The plan will also propose two big changes Hudson predicts will be of huge community interest: a complete rethink of the rubbish collection plus concrete moves to introduce a kerbside food waste service.

“For more than 20 years, Waipā‘s household rubbish has been collected by private companies using wheelie bins or pre-paid bags. We’re one of few councils in New Zealand which doesn’t provide a rates-funded rubbish collection. But early costings suggest a rates-funded service could be a cheaper and better option for ratepayers so it’s time to look at that again.”

A food collection service would also be a focus of the draft strategy, he said, noting around 50 per cent of Waipā household ‘rubbish’ was actually organic waste.

“We’ll certainly be looking at activities to encourage home composting and community composting. But there may come a time when providing a food waste service will be compulsory in New Zealand because of government commitments around reducing methane emissions from landfills.

“There is a funding package on offer from the Ministry for the Environment to help councils start food waste services. Potentially that funding could cover the capital cost of trucks and bins and other project costs. It’s an opportunity our community simply must consider.”

Council will consult the community on the draft waste minimisation plan next year, as required under the Waste Minimisation Act.

For more information go to waipadc.govt.nz/our-services/rubbishand-recycling/waste-minimisation

Council’s waste minimisation advisor Sally Fraser (left) and former communication and engagement co-ordinator Bethany Rolstonwith some of the meat — much unopened — found thrown out as refuse during a 2020 audit ofwaste. Reducing food waste will be one initiative under the spotlight next year.

Photo / Supplied Photo / Supplied Local chef Lylie Mallek worked alongside the council in 2020 to demonstrate how much good food is thrown out. Council has produced videos with Lylie to demonstrate how to use common waste food items.

Waipā households rubbish collection assessment graph for 2020. Councilwill float a range of proposals next year to leverage government incentives aimed at helping communities minimise waste.