21 May 2007

Reduce, reuse, recycle…respond

Auckland City Council is calling for public comment on the central area section of its draft waste management plan from 21 May to 22 June 2007.

The plan sets the council’s direction for reducing, reusing and recycling waste for the next five years.

Councillor Neil Abel, chairperson of the Works and Services Committee, says there are many challenges when it comes to waste in the inner city and is encouraging the community to have their say.

“The central area has some widely differing businesses and activities, and since the 1990s, a rapidly increasing residential population. This means a large variety of waste is produced in a concentrated space, and at all hours of the day,” says Mr Abel. “Apart from wanting to reduce waste and better use resources, we need to tackle what is an often messy and unsightly problem with bags and bins on footpaths.

“Your feedback on our plans for managing waste in this area will be invaluable in ensuring that the work the council proposes reflects your aspirations.”

The draft plan presents a number of actions to reduce waste. These include:

- establishing a team to coordinate current services and review current practices

- investigating different ways to provide services to achieve greater waste reduction

- undertaking research and trials using smaller vehicles for collection and thicker collection bags for CBD businesses.

“Waste is largely regarded as evidence that resources aren’t being used efficiently. It’s a big problem and we are looking at ways to provide appropriate, innovative and integrated practices - solutions that will prevent waste and protect our environment and our future,” says Mr Abel.

Have your say by 22 June on Auckland City Council’s Draft Waste Management Plan – Central Area Section by visiting www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/waste, any Auckland City Council library and service centres, or by phoning 379 2020.

Note to editors:

Auckland City Council is required to have a waste management plan under the Local Government Act. This plan is reviewed about every five years. The central area is bounded by the motorway network, Stanley Street in Parnell and the waterfront.

The review builds on the council’s first waste management plan, which was adopted in 2000. Some of the plan’s actions took effect from July 2002 when various changes were made to improve services and achieve greater reduction of solid waste to landfill.

ENDS

© Scoop Media