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Creating the recycling system Hutt City deserves

Published: Wed 22 May 2019 07:55 PM
Creating the recycling system Hutt City deserves
People living across the Hutt will benefit from a modern and fit for purpose kerbside recycling system under a plan announced by Hutt City Mayoral candidate Campbell Barry today.
“If I’m elected Mayor I will urgently progress work to establish a modern kerbside recycling system in Lower Hutt,” Campbell Barry said.
Every residential and rural property will receive two wheelie bins - one for glass and one for plastics, tin and cardboard. This is a similar system to other cities, including established systems in Wellington and Dunedin and the system recently rolled out in Porirua.
Campbell Barry said that the issues with kerbside recycling in Lower Hutt are well known and have long been an issue for local people.
“Any family using the current green crate system will tell you that they don’t provide the capacity needed. As a consequence too much waste is going to landfill, or directed to community recycling stations which are already at capacity.”
Under the current system, it isn’t unusual to see streets covered in milk bottles and pizza boxes on recycling day if it’s windy.
“The new wheelie bins would come with lid latches, which will offer far better protection in Lower Hutt’s often windy environment”
The proposed system will also include work to boost recycling in schools and support in-school programmes to minimise waste.
“I’m proud to announce that if I’m elected Mayor, Hutt City Council will provide free recycling to every primary and intermediate school across our city. We will also increase funding for the Enviroschools programme, which encourages sustainability and waste-minimisation efforts.
“It’s important for Council to get the basics right, and recycling is an example where it is currently falling well short of the mark.
“Instead of funding free meals for elected members, or underwriting losses of private businesses, a Council I lead will focus on core services and issues that will make the lives of people in our City better.
“Improving Hutt City’s kerbside recycling system will have a positive impact on our environment, and it is something which Council can do quickly. It’s time we join cities across New Zealand who have had modern kerbside recycling schemes for some years,” Campbell Barry said.
The proposed system will extend services to rural communities, and focus on providing alternatives for properties with difficult access for wheelie bins.
Notes to editors:
How much will it cost?
• Estimated total cost of $2.8m a year. This is based on $76 per household (based on Porirua City Council’s scheme annual cost of $76 per dwelling).
How will it be funded?
• A mixture of targeted costs (these are currently in place for the crate system) and revenue from the Silverstream Landfill (current average $6 million annual profit).
Primary/Intermediate School Initiative:
• Including schools in the kerbside system would incur a relatively low cost (due to scale of Hutt City Council’s contracting power).
Recycling in Hill Suburbs, areas with limited street access, and for people with disabilities?
• Alternative options will be explored and provided to enable recycling in areas where wheelie bins may be difficult to use.
• Options for supporting people with disabilities will also be explored.

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