New waste collection services to be trialed
North Shore City Council is inviting Bayswater Avenue residents to trial two new ways of collecting household rubbish.
The new services involve collecting recyclable plastic, glass, cans paper and cardboard in one wheelie bin and kitchen
scraps and garden waste in another, and if successful, would be considered for implementation citywide.
North Shore City ' s waste minimisation team leader, Michelle Kaczor, says the trial is being carried out to ensure the
council continues to provide the most cost-effective service.
" As part of our waste minimisation plan and the Ministry for the Environment ' s call for communities to reduce
organic waste going to landfill by 95 per cent by 2010, we need to look at ways of streamlining our recycling systems, "
says Ms Kaczor.
" North Shore City remains a national leader in waste minimisation with over 90 per cent of households currently
recycling, which means that 40 per cent of what would once have gone to landfills is now recycled.
" With population growth and as rubbish dumps such as Rosedale close, space for new landfills becomes more scarce and
costs soar so we must find other ways of reusing or disposing of rubbish. Nearly 75 per cent of what is put out in a
typical rubbish bag can be recycled or composted, " says Ms Kaczor.
" We have carried out extensive research before running this trial because although this system is common in Australia
and parts of the USA and Europe, it is a first in New Zealand so needs to be considered carefully. "
The council's works and environment committee chairperson, Joel Cayford, says that before any changes are made city
wide, it is very important for the council to understand how North Shore people might respond to more sophisticated
recycling.
"The council is committed to reducing landfill rubbish, but we can do little without the commitment of the community.
The feedback from this trial will be critical to future city-wide implementation," says Councillor Cayford.
"This trial is a small first step that, if successful, could have a profound impact on the quality of life in the city
for years to come and set a strong example for other New Zealand councils."
The trial will take place between April 29 - July 29, during which time there will be extensive audits and consultation
with the 400 participants.
For further information about the household recycling trial, people are invited to contact the council ' s waste trial
assistant by calling Actionline on 486 8600.