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Following central government’s proposals to transform recycling in New Zealand, released in March, Auckland Council has made its submission on the issue.
The government proposals seek to introduce a container return scheme that encourages people to return empty beverage containers for recycling.
It is also looking to improve household kerbside recycling, including standardising the materials that are recycled nationwide and allowing all urban residents to have food scraps collection.
The reasons for the changes include the need to substantially increase recycling rates noting that Kiwis only recycle and compost about one-third of materials we place on the kerbside, with the rest going to landfill, while many countries recycle two-thirds.
The changes are also aimed at reducing carbon emissions noting that the waste sector contributed around four percent of our total greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, and around nine percent of biogenic methane emissions.
The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board added its voice to Council’s submission, providing feedback at its April 21 meeting.
The board supports the container return scheme. It recommended that options for phasing out single use coffee cups be investigated as currently these are not included in the container return proposal. It also sought more access for the public to stations where certain containers can be refilled and recommended that Council’s model of community recycling centres (such as the one in Whangaparāoa) be replicated.
When it comes to diverting food and garden waste from landfill, the local board recommended consideration be given to balancing the benefits of large anaerobic digestive facilities versus the food miles saved by utilising local initiatives such as the City to Farm project in Waitoki.
Decisions from government are expected to be made later this year, with the Ministry for the Environment proposing 2025 for implementation of the Container Return Scheme, 2024-2030 for various requirements related to kerbside collections and 2025-2030 for businesses in metropolitan areas to separate their food waste depending on availability of processing facilities.
