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Local Government Sector
Councils set the direction for local waste management and minimisation
Local Government New Zealand represents the interests of local authorities. Local councils' interest and involvement have focused on new proposals such as those promoted through the Waste Minimisation Bill, which have subsequently highlighted the relevance and place of the Packaging Accord. Local Government New Zealand plays a critical role in communicating with councils about the Packaging Accord and in promoting constructive discussion and information sharing between the parties to the Accord.
Two significant reports on council waste management practice were released this year.
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The report of the office of the Auditor General into waste management planning (April 2007) confirmed that 100% of territorial authorities have waste management plans in place. The report reviewed the implementation of some waste management plans and some specific approaches to solid waste management, making relevant observations about the need for a sustainable approach to waste management, the importance of data, and the need for waste management plans to be regularly updated and refined.
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The 2006 review of progress towards the targets in the New Zealand Waste Strategy (April 2007) reported that local government has made progress in waste management and minimisation with one indicator being that 97% of New Zealanders now have access to household recycling facilities - exceeding the target set in the Strategy. More than 320,000 tonnes of recycling and over 310,000 tonnes of organic waste are now diverted from landfills by councils.
Data collated on council recycling activities and changes to councils' recycling services shows that almost all councils consistently collect key recyclable items in kerbside collection (paper, cardboard, plastics 1 & 2, glass, steel cans, and aluminum cans), with many councils expanding their kerbside collections into other items (e.g. plastics 3-7 and green waste) and many providing drop-off facilities for a range of other recyclable items.
A survey in late 2006 found that 72% of councils implement recycling systems in their own buildings. Some have extended this to other buildings and facilities that councils are involved with. In many councils these systems are supported by waste minimisation policies and staff education. Some councils also set reduction targets, reduce waste through procurement initiatives, or have other initiatives in place such as worm farms for tearoom waste. The government's new initiatives for sustainable business will provide enhanced opportunity to raise awareness of procurement options.
The tendering of council waste contracts over the last few years has highlighted the role of council contract decisions in setting the direction for waste management and minimisation. Completion of guidance for councils on recycling and waste management contracts was delayed, which has enabled content to be updated to reflect changes in practice and future opportunities (e.g. consideration of co-mingled collection). This will provide councils with practical advice and tools for consideration and use in the procurement of waste management and recycling services. Promotion of the guidance and its uptake will be a key activity in the coming year.
The economics of glass recovery remains a significant concern for councils, particularly where markets are limited. While the type of kerbside collection has been a subject of debate, councils' main interest is in what to do with the significant quantities of glass collected that are surplus to the needs of glass container manufacturing in New Zealand. This will remain an issue in the absence of economic instruments or changes to the market situation. Recent initiatives of the glass forum to fund a mobile glass crusher have been welcomed in some regions as a contribution to altering the economic situation.
The coming year will be important in finalising the detail of the new waste legislation. Councils have a keen interest in having input to the new programmes to be mandated by the legislation, such as identifying the priorities for product stewardship programmes and subsequent implications for packaging and the Accord.
Click here to view the 2007 Annual Report [663KB pdf].
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