ON average, each person in the Wellington region produces 626kg of waste every year, or collectively more than 300,000 tonnes. The Wellington City Council believes waste management issues could be better dealt with if councils in the region band together – but the council wants to know what you think.
The 2011-2017 Draft Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is being considered by Wellington City and seven other councils, including Porirua City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Kapiti Coast District, South Wairarapa District, Carterton District and Masterton District Councils.
“I think it’s a case of the more brains the better; of sharing ideas and knowledge, as well as the benefits that would come from pooling resources. We would also be in a position to look at more innovative options, that one council on its own would not be able to consider,” says Wellington city councillor Ngaire Best, Three Waters and Waste portfolio leader.
Best agrees that councils in smaller regions may benefit most from the plan, especially when it comes to putting pressure on central government for changes.
“The power of coming together as a region is amplified. If you’re a small council, banding together with your neighbours will provide greater weight within submissions.”
The plan highlights both individual and blanket strategies for councils within the region. The Wellington City Council’s action plan suggests education programmes for schools and community groups, grants for community projects and sustainable business development, and the provision of a permanent e-waste collection and processing point.
Best says a priority for Wellington City is dealing with sewage sludge, the methane-producing by-product of sewage plants that accounts for a major proportion of the waste that goes to landfill.
“This is one of the key things we need to grapple with,” she says.
Actively minimising the waste we produce is another.
“There are massive amounts of packaging produced within our communities, and it’s a matter of getting the message back to the manufacturers through the retailers, that we need to minimise packaging as much as possible.”
“[Regional collaboration will also help with] putting some pressure back on central government”.
View the 2011-2017 Draft Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, and make a submission, at www.wellington.govt.nz.
The 2011-2017 Draft Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is being considered by Wellington City and seven other councils, including Porirua City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Kapiti Coast District, South Wairarapa District, Carterton District and Masterton District Councils.
“I think it’s a case of the more brains the better; of sharing ideas and knowledge, as well as the benefits that would come from pooling resources. We would also be in a position to look at more innovative options, that one council on its own would not be able to consider,” says Wellington city councillor Ngaire Best, Three Waters and Waste portfolio leader.
Best agrees that councils in smaller regions may benefit most from the plan, especially when it comes to putting pressure on central government for changes.
“The power of coming together as a region is amplified. If you’re a small council, banding together with your neighbours will provide greater weight within submissions.”
The plan highlights both individual and blanket strategies for councils within the region. The Wellington City Council’s action plan suggests education programmes for schools and community groups, grants for community projects and sustainable business development, and the provision of a permanent e-waste collection and processing point.
Best says a priority for Wellington City is dealing with sewage sludge, the methane-producing by-product of sewage plants that accounts for a major proportion of the waste that goes to landfill.
“This is one of the key things we need to grapple with,” she says.
Actively minimising the waste we produce is another.
“There are massive amounts of packaging produced within our communities, and it’s a matter of getting the message back to the manufacturers through the retailers, that we need to minimise packaging as much as possible.”
“[Regional collaboration will also help with] putting some pressure back on central government”.
View the 2011-2017 Draft Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, and make a submission, at www.wellington.govt.nz.
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