How Hibiscus Coast residents pay for kerbside rubbish collection is under review by Auckland Council.
There are two systems in Auckland – just over half (55 percent) have rates-funded schemes and the rest have the system on the Coast, which is buying rubbish bags or bins from commercial suppliers, who collect the rubbish – this is known as pay as you throw (PAYT). Recycling is funded by rates.
In looking to find a cost effective scheme for the whole of Auckland, moving everyone to either rates-funded rubbish collection or PAYT, is under consideration.
A key issue is the need to reduce waste at its source, which is why Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Policy seeks an expansion of PAYT across Auckland. PAYT has been considered the best way to encourage waste generators to produce less waste.
Despite this, Council’s report put before the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board this month stated that a rates funded system is more cost-effective due to economies of scale. It also found no clear evidence that PAYT reduces the amount of rubbish thrown away.
“International evidence indicates the greatest waste minimisation is achieved through easy access to services that divert waste from landfill (such as recycling and food scraps collection), community education, and reduced access to refuse volume to encourage use of diversion services,” the report says.
However, the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board came down firmly on the side of PAYT, saying it is the most direct method of ensuring households actively minimise the generation of waste.
Council is talking with local boards, industry and community groups and will take its recommendations to the Environment and Climate Change Committee for a decision on October 14.
If the Committee opts to extend the rates-based option to the rest of Auckland, or stick with the current mixed model, there will be consultation during the Annual Plan 2022/23.
