TAKING THE LEAD ON LEAD - RURAL WASTE A ONE-STOP SHOP SOLUTION - WasteMINZ
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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE NZ
MARCH 2019 \ ISSUE 170 \ $9.00
RURAL WASTE
A ONE-STOP
SHOP SOLUTION ENERGY
FROM
WASTE
TAKING THE A RESOURCE
NOT RUBBISH
LEAD ON
LEAD
CADMIUM IN SOIL CONCERNS | RECYCLING CONSTRUCTION WASTE | IDEAL COFFEE
WASTEMINZ MEMBERS
P L ATIN U M SILVER
ADSTAFF PERSONNEL
adstaff.co.nz
AUCKLAND COUNCIL
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz AURECON NZ
aurecongroup.com
CIVIC CONTRACTORS
GO L D civcon.co.nz
FOODSTUFFS NZ
foodstuffsnz.co.nz
3R GROUP
3R.co.nz GEOFABRICS NZ
geofabrics.co.nz
MANCO
EARTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL manco.co.nz
earthcarenz.co.nz
OJI FIBRE SOLUTIONS
ojifs.com
ENVIRONZ OMARUNUI LANDFILL
environz.co.nz
hastingsdc.govt.nz
PATTLE DELAMORE PARTNERS
O-I NEW ZEALAND pdp.co.nz
o-i.com PLASBACK
plasback.co.nz
PROGRESSIVE ENTERPRISES
SMART ENVIRONMENTAL
progressive.co.nz
smartenvironmental.co.nz
SCION RESEARCH
scionresearch.com
SULO
SIMS RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
sulo.co.nz
apac.simsrecycling.com
STANTEC
TONKIN + TAYLOR mwhglobal.co.nz
tonkin.co.nz
THE PACKAGING FORUM
packagingforum.org.nz
VISY RECYCLING NZ VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
visy.co.nz veolia.com/anz
WASTENET SOUTHLAND
wastenet.org.nz
WASTE MANAGEMENT NZ
wastemanagement.co.nz WSP OPUS
wsp-opus.co.nz
2
ON THE COVER SEEKING A
BRIGHTER LEAD-FREE FUTURE
18
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Paul Evans \ +64 9 476 7172
10
paul@wasteminz.org.nz TAKING THE LEAD ON LEAD
Graham Aveyard advocates for
SECTOR PROJECTS MANAGER
action rather than another cycle
Nic Quilty \ +64 9 476 7167
nic@wasteminz.org.nz of concern and reaction about the
health effects of lead.
SECTOR PROJECTS MANAGER
Jenny Marshall \ +64 9 476 7164
jenny@wasteminz.org.nz 14
ONE-STOP WASTE SHOP
CORPORATE SERVICES MANAGER
CJ Dooner \ +64 9 476 7162 Fraser Scott, Simon Andrew and Isla
cj@wasteminz.org.nz Hepburn report on successful steps
towards addressing the significant
SUSTAINABILIT Y ADVISOR
Sarah Pritchett \ +64 21 0825 4060 rural inorganic waste issue.
sarahp@wasteminz.org.nz
ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
18
Justine Robinson \ +64 9 476 7163 IDEAL COFFEE
justine@wasteminz.org.nz IdealCup co-owner Stephanie Fry on
EDITOR, REVOLVE
how her company is helping cafes
Kim Mundell \ +64 21 655 917 and corporates divert thousands of
wasteminz@gmail.com disposable coffee cups from landfill.
SUB-EDITOR, REVOLVE
Julie O'Brien 23
wasteminz@gmail.com ENERGY FROM WASTE
14
DESIGN, REVOLVE Holger Zipfel and Hana Kirk explain
Leanne Lassman \ +64 21 267 3885 why waste is a resource to be used,
leanne@electrichedgehog.co.nz not wasted.
T +64 9 476 7162
PO Box 305426, Triton Plaza 26
North Shore 0757 DIY GARAGE SALE
Unit 2, 5 Orbit Drive, Rosedale 0632 A DIY Garage Sale in Cambridge
26
New Zealand
diverted tonnes of construction
wasteminz.org.nz waste from landfill, raised thousands
for a local primary school and
WasteMINZ is the leading professional brought the community together.
body for waste management, resource
recovery and contaminated land
management in New Zealand. We deliver 31
value to our members through the CADMIUM CONCERNS
shaping and sharing of policy and the A lack of New Zealand data on soil
development of industry good practice.
cadmium concentrations that
WasteMINZ publishes revolve magazine
four times a year, it plays a vital role
might pose a risk to agriculture led REGULARS
to recent research to address this
in ensuring our members are up-to- 02 MEMBERS
date with the latest in industry news, issue. Jo-Anne Cavanagh describes
policy and legislative changes as well the study.
04 FROM PAUL’S DESK
as innovations and advances. 05 YOUR BOARD
revolve magazine is a forum for positive 07 NEWS BITES
sector debate and discussion. The
articles contained in revolve do not
09 MOVERS & SHAKERS
necessarily represent the views of 36 FROM THE REGIONS
WasteMINZ or the WasteMINZ Board. 38 SECTOR GROUPS
THERE IS NO
ISSN 2324-5417 (Print)
ISSN 2324-5425 (Online)
KNOWN SAFE
BLOOD LEAD
10 LEVEL.
FROM
PAUL'S DESK Paul Evans
CEO, WasteMINZ
Talk to me paul@wasteminz.org.nz
+64 9 476 7172
This is my last column in revolve needed. WasteMINZ has been central
after seven years as part of the to this; I think we can all be proud.
WasteMINZ team. If there’s something that I’m
It seems somewhat surreal disappointed about, it’s the rate of
to be leaving, as this job has been change. It’s still a slowly-slowly risk-
such a massive part of my life; it’s averse approach. While I understand
taught me plenty and, importantly, this to a degree, I think that as a
it has given me the opportunity nation we need to be brave.
to meet some amazing and We have some incredible
passionate people. It has been an challenges ahead, and we need to
WASTEMINZ HAS AN
absolute privilege to be part of the step up and meet these. We need to IMPORTANT ROLE TO
WasteMINZ journey. I’ll miss the quit tinkering around the edges, quit PLAY IN THE FUTURE
organisation, its members and, of talking about the same old things OF AOTEAROA.
course, the outstanding team. and take some action. WE HAVE A REAL
I would like to sincerely thank No action will be perfect, and
OPPORTUNITY TO
our Chair, Darren Patterson, and we may get some things wrong
Paul Bishop before him, for their along the way, but I think it’s far
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
support of me and commitment better than not acting and living
— LET’S NOT
to the sector as a whole. My thanks with regret. We should all be putting SQUANDER IT.
extends to all the Board members vested interests to one side and
who have made my time here so thinking about what is truly the best
incredibly positive, and my team — approach for Aotearoa.
who I wish I could take with me (but WasteMINZ’s new chief executive
I promise I won’t!). Janine Brindson will be starting at
In seven years, the landscape the end of March. She has many
has changed a huge amount. Our challenges ahead, but with the
sector’s issues are at the forefront support of a passionate Board, an
of the public’s mind, politicians are amazing team and a mandate from
engaging in a meaningful way and our members, I’m confident that
we are beginning to see movement WasteMINZ will continue to flourish
towards the systemic change that is under her leadership.
3 1 ST ANNUA L CONFE R E NCE 2 3 - 2 6 SEPT EMB ER | H AM I LTO N
4
YOUR
BOARD Parul Sood
WasteMINZ Board
parul.sood@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
The start of a new year is always a
good time to look ahead, identify
Being part of WasteMINZ creates
a forum for us to come together —
HOW TO
challenges and opportunities, set for councils, the community sector CONTACT
new goals, try new things and start and the private sector to collaborate
to do things differently. in partnership to develop new YOUR BOARD
Auckland has set a goal to be a solutions to fill the current recovery
infrastructure gaps.
MEMBERS
Zero Waste City by 2040. That’s only
21 years away. That means each We have a lot going for us — our
year we need to plan, take positive diversity is our strength. Our differing
action and move purposefully opinions and perspectives, technical
towards that target. Around the expertise and knowledge drawn from
country, other local councils are unique experiences and a variety of
working equally hard to make local contexts give us the opportunity
headway on waste reduction. to share ideas, aggregate wisdom,
Under the Waste Minimisation make collective decisions and co-
Act, local authorities are mandated create and design new services.
with the serious responsibility With WasteMINZ as a launchpad,
of supporting our communities working together, the private sector,
to reduce the amount of waste community sector and councils can
generated and disposed of. successfully transition New Zealand
Central government has begun to a circular economy.
to drive change through legislation As a sector, we can deliver the
such as the ban on microbeads and benefits: long-term cost savings,
single-use soft plastic bags. But there increased local job opportunities,
are still many fronts that we need technical innovation and a reduction
to tackle in order to make further in the amount of harmful waste
headway on waste minimisation. produced, thereby turning down the
As a sector, we have some smart dial on climate change. left-to-right top, middle, bottom
thinking to do to develop nationwide So, I’d encourage you to let 2019 Darren Patterson CHAIR
waste minimisation infrastructure be the year to really step up and get darren@pattersonenvironmental.co.nz
that helps New Zealand to deal with involved. If you’re interested in doing Simonne Eldridge DEPUT Y CHAIR
its own waste onshore. Having a more, get involved with one of our seldridge@tonkin.co.nz
robust resource recovery industry WasteMINZ sector groups that are Wayne Plummer
wayne.plummer@environz.co.nz
would reduce our current reliance continuing to drive change in organic
Parul Sood
on the vagaries of international materials, product stewardship,
parul.sood@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
markets and create the resilient contaminated land management,
Ian Stupple
local, closed-loop system we need disposal to land and societal
ianstupple@gmail.com
for the future. behaviour change.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 5
NEWS BITES
Plastic ranks Hartland received a $999,808 grant
from the Ministry of Business,
Unitec lecturer Terri-Ann Berry
says, “We realised we’re looking
as Kiwis’ top Innovation and Employment to at vast volumes of contaminated
concern undertake the two-year project. soil and products that need to go
Project details: somewhere, and was there a better
The build-up of plastic in the
bit.ly/cadmiuminsoil way of managing this?”
environment is the top concern of
New Zealanders when it comes to Find out more:
environmental and social issues,
Australia’s new bit.ly/asbestosheaps
waste policy
new research shows. The latest
Colmar Brunton Better Futures misses the mark Queensland
report surveyed 1,000 New waste levy will
Zealanders in December 2018 on a
Australia’s new National Waste Policy
acknowledges the importance of
be $75 per tonne
wide range of environmental and
a circular economy, but is largely a The state’s waste levy was approved
social issues.
missed opportunity, writes University by the Queensland Parliament. Most
Read the full research: waste to landfill will attract a levy
of Technology Sydney senior research
bit.ly/betterfuturesreport of $75 per tonne from 1 July 2019.
consultant Jenni Downes.
Read the Environment Minister’s
Love Food Hate Treading the circular path:
statement: bit.ly/levystatement
Waste saves bit.ly/notsocircular
Sir Michael has spoken!
14,000 tonnes of Storm in a Sir Michael Cullen’s tax working
food waste coffee cup? group has recommended a swathe
of changes to New Zealand’s tax
Our latest Love Food Hate Buoy Cafe at Westhaven Marina
system. While everyone’s focus
Waste research has shown that in Auckland is reducing waste by
was on the capital gains tax,
households who have heard of the not allowing takeaway cups to be
there was also a very significant
Love Food Hate Waste campaign used by people not taking coffee
recommendation for the waste and
have decreased their food waste to away. However, there was a heated
recycling sector, that is, to “Expand
landfill by 27.1 per cent. This means confrontation when a woman
coverage and rate of Waste Disposal
that at least 14,000 tonnes of food objected to being told she couldn’t
Levy”. This has the potential to
waste has been diverted directly as a have a takeaway coffee cup if
fundamentally change our sector.
result of the campaign. she stayed on-site. Her rationale
See the recommendations:
Find out more about our research: was that the porcelain cup might
bit.ly/levyoutandup
bit.ly/lfhwresearch smudge her lipstick.
Study hopes to
Find out more: National Party
bit.ly/lipstickissues
moots container
end speculation
Are asbestos deposits
around cadmium
levels in soil ‘compost heaps’ The National Party has released an
the way of the environment discussion document
A new study into the environmental
impact of cadmium (Cd) could help
future? which states that “National
proposes introducing measures to
farmers reduce their fertiliser usage A team of researchers at Unitec see either by a container deposit
and prevent build-up in soils and believes it has come up with a scheme in association with existing
waterways. Waikato University biological way of breaking down kerbside and recycling programmes
geochemistry senior lecturer Adam asbestos and making soil safe again. is introduced, or by the beverage
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 7
sector itself be responsible for
98 per cent
ensuring through initiatives they
set up, that 90 per cent of beverage
of household
containers are saved from being e-waste heads
sent to landfill”. Given that the to landfill
establishment of a container
As much as 98 per cent of New
deposit scheme is Green Party
Zealand’s household electrical
policy, does this mean there could be
and electronic waste may end up
bipartisan support?
in landfills, according to recent
Read the full discussion document:
research. “Unless we consider
bit.ly/nationaldiscussiondoc
prioritising e-waste for product
What to do stewardship, the risks of detrimental
effects caused by e-waste will
with unclaimed continue to rise, and New Zealand
medication? could become a literal dumping
ground for inferior and end-of-life
$40 million worth of unclaimed
electronic goods,” says report author
prescription medicine is dumped
Vicktoria Blake.
in landfills each year. In most
countries, unclaimed drugs are Read her research:
incinerated, but in New Zealand, bit.ly/ewasteresearch
there's no country-wide policy for
disposing of medicines.
bit.ly/bitterpillnz
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MOVERS & SHAKERS
WELCOME TO OUR
NEW MEMBERS
SILVER
EMILY JASMINE DARNELLE TIMBS WSP Opus
Emily joined Ruapehu District Council Darnelle started as the waste
in June 2018 as waste minimisation minimisation facilitator for Gisborne CORPORATE
educator. This new role supports District Council in April last year. She EHS Support
Ruapehu District Council’s vision of comes from an eclectic background,
SMALL BUSINESS
being zero waste by 2040. Emily has with a Masters in Social Science,
enjoyed working in a variety of fields, and in recent years focused on Civil Share
including landscape management, sustainability projects and event
DBO Solutions
agriculture, arboriculture, management. Driven by concern
horticulture and community health. for the impact of waste on our Earthquake Commission
This role combines her passion of environment, notably plastics in Eroad
working with communities with the oceans, she is grateful to return
caring for Papatūānuku. Beeswax to her hometown of Gisborne to
Lincom Group
wrap workshops were well received work on waste minimisation in OfficeMax
in 2018 and this year she is hoping Tairāwhiti. She mostly enjoys being
Plateau Compost
Boomerang Bag workshops will able to engage with the community
be popular. If you have established to work on the many and diverse Renew Energy
a Boomerang Bag group, please challenges and opportunities for the
Revital
contact her at region. Darnelle can be contacted at
emily.jasmine@ruapehudc.govt.nz. Darnelle.Timbs@gdc.govt.nz. Scrap Metal Association
Simken Land Works
Sustainability Trust
Tetra Pak
TNZ Growing Products
Vac-U-Digga NZ
MILLIE PORTER VICTORIA MOYLE
Waste to Energy
Millie joined Upper Hutt City Council Victoria Joined the South Taranaki
in the newly created role of waste District Council this year as waste INDIVIDUAL
minimisation officer in December minimisation officer for increased
Shaun Bowler
last year. She has a Bachelor of focus on sustainability in the
Science in Environmental Studies district and the implementation Lynette Ellison
and Development Studies, and a of the Waste Management and Clive Murden
Bachelor of Arts in International Minimisation Plan. She has a
Jodie Olson
Relations and French. She has Bachelor of Science focused in
worked for a few start-ups – most geography and is just starting her Hayden Smith
recently CoGo (previously Conscious career within local government,
STUDENT
Consumers). Millie is motivated to which is fueled by her passion for the
better educate communities about environment and sustainability. She Emma Foukles
the waste industry and the impacts has a special interest in integrated Elizabeth Peters
of their consumption. She loves geography and consumer habits.
sharing ideas and can be contacted Victoria can be contacted at
on millie.porter@uhcc.govt.nz. victoria.moyle@stdc.govt.nz.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 9
THE TRUTH
ABOUT LEAD
(AGAIN)
Graham Aveyard from Environment
Canterbury wants key organisations
to break the cycle of concern and
reaction to the health effects of lead
in paint by taking action now.
Despite accepted widespread
T
understanding from the 1950s that
HE GREEKS identified it as lead paint was the cause of serious
early as the second century childhood illness, it took until
BC; the Romans knew it as the 1960s and 1970s for lead to
morbi metallici. In 1656, its eventually be reduced in paint from
health impacts were “rediscovered” as much as 50 per cent to 1 per cent
by Samuel Stockhausen, a German and, more recently, to less than
physician. 0.1 per cent. Higher concentrations
The use of internal household of lead in domestic paint is still used
paints containing lead during the in countries such as India or the
19th century increased domestic Philippines.
childhood exposure. Before this
time, lead had been predominantly Long-lasting
an occupational hazard. health impact
Toxicity to children from lead New Zealand is estimated to have
paint was identified in Australia 250,000 weatherboard properties of
in 1897, an important step in the an age where lead paint would have
understanding of childhood lead been used. Maintenance, removal,
poisoning. Subsequently, in 1909, repair or general deterioration is
white lead interior paints were likely to have contaminated the
banned in France, Belgium and surrounding area to the extent that
Austria. analysis routinely confirms lead
concentrations in the soils sufficient
to impact human health.
10
10Annual notifications of cases in
New Zealand are typically between
THERE IS NO
100 and 200. The process is limited KNOWN SAFE
to people who have sought medical BLOOD LEAD
care and who, on investigation, have LEVEL.
Ingested lead can be stored in been identified to exhibit raised
bone within the body and gradually blood lead (>10µg/dL).
released over many years; the half- Those identified are
life of lead within bone is 10 to 25 predominantly working-age males,
years. Once lead has entered the of white New Zealand/European
body in great quantities, a person backgrounds (more than likely to be
can be affected for much of their due to occupational exposure). The
early life. Lead can be released again greatest number of those affected
from the bone during pregnancy are painters/decorators, showing
and can affect the foetus. that, once removed, lead paint
Lead is not required in the presents a significant hazard to
human body. There is no known safe those in close contact with it.
blood lead level. We know young While there are examples of
children absorb four to five times as significant childhood exposure,
much ingested lead as adults from a these seem to be limited in
given source, most probably due to number, and we don’t have the
their rapid growth and development. evidence base to link these with
This coincides with the maximum exposure to soil rather than to
period of development of the brain, internal or external lead paint
the primary organ to suffer long- removal. As a result, there is a lack
term damage from absorption of of clear national understanding
the metal. on the burdens of lead within the
It is difficult to quantify the population which urgently requires
impact on public health, due, in investigation.
part, to limited data on those The cycle of ‘concern’ and
affected, and the lack of obvious ‘reaction’ to this issue never seems
symptoms even in those with to get broken. As a result, we return
blood lead levels above the action time and again to act to protect our
level set by public health services children from entirely preventable
in New Zealand, Australia and the impacts on their health from paint.
United Kingdom.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 11Limitations to homes as potentially contaminated. actual harm from ingestion of the
The issue continues to remain in contaminant — from a variety of
current regulations
the too hard basket, where it has sources and often in unremarkable
Some contaminated land
resided ever since HAIL was defined. circumstances — which actually
professionals consider revision
The real concern is much affects exposed individuals.
of the National Environmental
more straightforward and rather
Standard for Assessing and
more pragmatic. In New Zealand Breaking the cycle
Managing Contaminants in Soil to
there are 1.84 million residential The solution requires a combined
Protect Human Health (NESCS) and
properties being subject to around and coordinated effort between the
Hazardous Activities and Industries
20,000 territorial district consents, Ministry of Health, Ministry for the
List (HAIL) to be the solution.
meaning that if every consent Environment, regional and district
The NESCS relies on a site
had an NES (Contaminated Soil) councils and the public health
having a contaminative historic
component, it would take 100 years services of district health boards. No
land use to drive remediation
to address each of the 250,000 one can address this issue alone. So
triggered by consented
properties potentially affected by what could be done?
development. There are lesser
lead paint contamination. Clearly, Even though the RMA and
used regulatory powers such as
we need to find an approach that NESCS won’t necessarily deliver
building codes or the Health Act;
delivers far shorter term and real change within an acceptable
however, declaring the property
outcomes. timeframe, HAIL does provide a
contaminated and adding it to a list
Lead is a good deal more than backstop catch-all Category I: “Any
of contaminated sites provides no
a contaminated land issue; most other land that has been subject
immediate solution.
of the time as professionals we are to the intentional or accidental
However softly the message
dealing with nuances of risk or the release of a hazardous substance
is delivered, the attitude of
“significant possibility of significant in sufficient quantity that it could
contaminated land and consenting
harm”. Lead is more in your face be a risk to human health or the
professions is to shy away from
as a risk than this; we can point to environment.”
declaring and registering 250,000
FAST JUST
GOT FASTER!
ASBESTOS TESTING
With our new laboratory in downtown
Wellington, we now offer a central
location and an even faster service for
more New Zealanders.
It’s a commitment we’ve made to ensure
we stay firmly at the forefront of
asbestos testing in New Zealand.
. MORE FREEPHONE 0508 HILL LAB (44 555 22)
www.hill-laboratories.comThis should be sufficient to advice and options for managing
address cases of higher probability or removing the source. Education
of existence of hazard, whereas campaigns targeted to locations
regulation such as the Health Act of greatest risk could also start to
could deal with situations where address the less visible cases of soil
paint is literally falling off old contamination.
timber properties. In addition, any Much of the above is only a
site investigation prompted by first response using existing rules,
other HAIL uses should also address powers or opportunities. In time, a
the potential for risk from historic more robust regulatory approach is
lead paint removal or deterioration. required. However, we can’t wait for
Increased focus should be a solution to appear miraculously
directed through medical services from the depths of that too hard
to those people occupying property basket while we wait for something
that is likely to pose a threat and more specific to be developed.
on increased numbers of blood
lead tests from non-occupational Time to ‘take the lead’
patients (particularly children) I completed a dissertation on the
exhibiting possible symptoms. This impacts of lead paint as a degree
would provide a greater number of project and have spent 32 years
cases with which to understand the of my career in its shadow. I have
Graham Aveyard is science team leader
exposure thresholds more fully. decided that I am not willing to – contaminated land for Environment
leave this for the next generation to Canterbury. Prior to that, he worked
Councils supporting DHB as an environmental health officer
public health teams should also resolve and let the cycle begin again. – contaminated land health risk for
follow up on notified cases of This is why, I believe, along with Auckland Council and is a former UK
environmental protection manager
raised blood lead levels to provide many fellow professionals, that we
and environmental health officer.
should be ‘taking the lead’.THE ONE-STOP SHOP
A FARMER-CENTRIC APPROACH
TO ADDRESSING RURAL WASTE
Fraser Scott, Simon
Andrew and Isla Hepburn
report on the success
of a project tackling
the serious inorganic
rural waste problem in
New Zealand.
14I
N 2018, CHINA effectively shut Identifying current Farmers listed numerous
reasons for not using existing
its doors to post-consumer practice and
services, including a lack of
plastics. The go-to solution for
barriers to change
recycling plastics disappeared incentives to do so, a lack of
The New Zealand Rural Waste
almost overnight, causing what awareness that such services
Minimisation Project was initiated
is the greatest shake-up in the existed and a concern over the
by Environment Canterbury to
international waste industry in economic viability and continuity
understand the reasons for this and
recent memory. of such services. However, the main
facilitate an industry-led response
Plastic waste has become a reasons for not using alternative
to it. The project was undertaken
cause célèbre in New Zealand, and services were simply that they were
by True North Consulting with
much attention has been focused perceived as too expensive and too
communications support from
on the likes of supermarket bags as inconvenient.
Cherry Red Consulting.
a source of waste that we are now Further research with farmers
The project initially focused
struggling to deal with. However, suggested that how farmers wished
on creating a risk framework
you have to get out of the cafes and to deal with waste split them into
for prioritising farm wastes.
supermarkets and visit the farms, two distinct groups with differing
Perhaps unsurprisingly, plastics,
orchards and vineyards to see one service needs and expectations.
agrichemicals and used oil were
of the most concerning sources of Farmers producing high volumes
identified as the top priorities for
waste in New Zealand. of waste tended to be more
further work.
Inorganic rural waste in New comfortable paying for an on-farm
It was then necessary to build
Zealand is a serious problem. collection service. Convenience was
an understanding of rural waste
Research undertaken in Canterbury, considered more important than
management in New Zealand.
Waikato and the Bay of Plenty cost avoidance.
Farmers were asked about the
suggested that up to 10 tonnes of Farmers with lower volumes
methods currently employed to
plastics, chemicals, treated timber of waste tended to be more willing
dispose of farm waste. Eighty per
and other non-natural wastes to drop waste off at a secondary
cent said that burning, burying or
are produced annually by New location to avoid paying significant
bulk storage of waste was a key
Zealand farms. Where does it go? transportation costs. Cost
method used to deal with waste.
Unfortunately, most of it is burned, avoidance was considered more
Yet, protecting the environment
buried in farm pits or stored in often important than convenience.
and the legacy of the land were
precarious conditions on farms. This realisation suggested that
also high on farmers’ agendas.
service delivery to farmers needed
Attention was therefore focused on
to be two-tier in order to encourage
determining what was preventing
more off-farm waste management,
farmers from pursuing more
with a drop-off option and an on-
sustainable forms of farm waste
farm collection option.
management.
Farmers also tended to be
strong in their desire to deal with
everything all at once. Dealing
with separate companies or
organisations for each discrete
waste stream was typically viewed
as an annoyance, whereas being
able to only deal with wastes
from certain manufacturers or
brands with a service provider was
considered even more frustrating.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 15One-Stop Shop MOST INORGANIC organisation with a board that
concept RURAL WASTE IS
represents a cross-section of
The concept of a One-Stop Shop for farming organisations and with
farm waste emerged relatively early
BURNED, BURIED a mandate to address persistent
in the project as farmers articulated
IN FARM PITS OR farm waste issues, Agrecovery was
different aspects of an ideal service STORED IN OFTEN well placed to expand from its core
that offered flexibility, a commitment PRECARIOUS agrichemicals and agrichemical
to understanding the farmers’ needs CONDITIONS ON containers programmes to offer
and the ability to deal with all major FARMS. a more comprehensive service to
waste streams simultaneously. farmers.
By providing a regional focus within
The One-Stop Shop model
a specified and predictable time
became anchored around regional Pilot events a success
window, a region would be ‘blitzed’
Pop-Up Recovery Events. These Agrecovery was active in assisting
and farmers could plan and
events were conceived as an in the development of the model
prepare appropriately. By making
opportunity for farmers willing design and, working in partnership
the events and accompanying
to transport waste to bring a with Territorial Authorities
service delivery regular (perhaps
wide range of waste streams to a in Matamata and Geraldine,
twice a year) and rationalising
convenient location and drop them Agrecovery hosted two pilot events
service delivery in this way,
off at low or no cost. to test the model in May 2018.
significant costs savings for both
Concurrently, the service The events were evaluated by
the service provider and farmers
provider would coordinate on-farm the project consultants and by
could be enjoyed.
collections for farmers with higher Agrecovery as being very successful
It was determined that the
volumes of waste, particularly and farmer feedback was particularly
organisation best placed to
soft plastics and agrichemical strong. The combined total waste
deliver the One-Stop Shop model
containers, or agrichemicals that collected from the events was:
was Agrecovery. As a non-profit
were unsafe to transport.
TO INFINITY
& BEYOND
Infinitely recyclable glass
For more visit: bit.ly/2J4rFP6
O-I New Zealand
www.recycleglass.co.nz +64 9 976 7127• 5,000 kg of agrichemical Every interviewed attendee implementing the One-Stop Shop
containers and drums liked the idea of a One-Stop Shop model, Agrecovery aims to deliver
• 2,782 kg of unwanted approach to rural recycling. Most strong and sustainable benefits
agrichemicals attendees were strong in their for farmers and growers, and for
• 5,342 kg of unwanted oil support for the idea and stressed New Zealand. Key to successful
• 2,030 kg of fertiliser bags the importance of making the deployment around New Zealand
• 4,000 kg of silage wrap. events regular. will be strong local partnerships
In total, 87 registered participants Agrecovery now intends to with territorial authorities that have
contributed approximately further pilot and deploy the new a desire to address rural waste issues
19,100 kg of waste products for model throughout 2019 and 2020. in their districts.
diversion from potentially harmful This will include identifying and
disposal practices. developing markets for post-
consumer agricultural plastics. By
Fraser Scott is the managing director of Isla Hepburn is a senior scientist at Simon Andrew is the general manager for
Christchurch-based business consultancy, Environment Canterbury, specialising Agrecovery and holds an MBA and BA (Hons)
True North Consulting. He led and in contaminated land and waste issues, from Victoria University of Wellington.
undertook the New Zealand Rural Waste and has 14 years’ experience working Simon is passionate about farming and New
Minimisation Project. in consultancy, not for profit and local Zealand produce having grown up on a farm
government. She is the current convenor of and been involved in the primary industries
the regional council special interest group on a professional basis for 15 years.
for contaminated land and waste.
The solution
to the pollution!
ST
TUFFBOARD19 STANDARD TUFFBOARD19 NON-SLIP
AN
sheets are made from is available in a standard
DA
RD
mixed plastics recycling sheet with a coating on
containing polyethylene one side providing an
and polypropylene. anti-slip surface.
NO
N-
Sheets are made by thermally bonding pulverised plastics to
SL
produce a distinct outer layer with a foamed inner core.
IP
Standard sizes 1240mm x 2440mm x 19mm in grey. Weight 38 kgs.
Green, blue, earth brown colours available by special order.
Chris Hartshorne | chartshorne@agpac.co.nz | 0274 375 781 | plasback.co.nzAN IDEAL WAY TO HAVE
YOUR COFFEE
L
IdealCup co-owner AST YEAR WAS A PRETTY Internationally, headway was
compelling one in the world made at the United Nations COP24
Stephanie Fry of waste. We observed so conference. Remember COP24
is excited about much change — some not president Michał Kurtyka taking his
helping cafes and for the better. “giant leap of celebration” after the
Paris Agreement work programme
corporates around New Zealand’s recycling systems
was approved? A joyous moment
began to crumble, with piles of
the country divert destination-less plastic being perhaps, but not all are on board. A
thousands of hoarded with few or no new options heck of a lot of commitment is still
disposable coffee for processing, either here or needed from global powerhouses.
offshore. As we reflect on 2018, at
cups from landfill. Our government declared a IdealCup we are excited that we are
future ban on single-use plastic working in this space and that we
bags, only to have some retailers are leading and creating change
replace single-use bags with other in our industry by sharing our
plastic bags. continued passion, energy, products
and programmes.
18We launched CupCycling™ in
TOP : IdealCup co-owner Steph Fry in
Motueka, where we live, 18 months Dunedin talking CupCycling™ with
ago. We wanted to do more than Dunedin City councillor and Breeze
radio host Damian Newell.
just sell a reusable product, and we
realised we had the perfect solution BELOW: NZ Post cafe Kanteen
CupCycling™ tally board.
to make change and a positive
impact in our community.
Our vision was to roll out
Cupcycling™ in Motueka as a fully
funded social enterprise project,
and we hoped other regions around
New Zealand would see the amazing
results and benefits of the system
and want to join. Motueka embraced
We’ve been working in this
the rollout, and in a year we had
space for almost 15 years and it’s
diverted 16,000 cups from landfill in
incredible that after fighting the
our little town.
sustainability fight and working
Late in 2017, the amazing team
tirelessly to support positive change
at Keep it Green Cromwell reached
for so long, seemingly overnight the
out to say they had seen what was
world appears to have woken up to
happening with CupCycling™ in
the desperate need for us to make
Motueka and that they wanted in.
change now, to ensure we have a
We rolled out Cromwell CupCycling™
planet with a positive future for
with great success.
generations to come.
Then we were contacted by the
The image of a turtle with a
wonderful team at Love Titirangi.
plastic straw stuck in its nose sure
They too were excited by what they
sparked awareness and provoked
had seen in the media, and they also
a public outcry to ban the use of
wanted in. During 2018, we rolled
plastic straws. More and more
out CupCycling™ in Titirangi, Upper
individuals are up in arms about
Hutt City, Golden Bay, Richmond,
waste, and there is a greater and
parts of Waikato and Wellington, as
growing awareness that we all need
well as in British Columbia, Canada.
to make change ... and fast!
Cup reuse system IN ONE YEAR,
One of the key areas of success in MOTUEKA DIVERTED
2018 for our IdealCup business was
16,000 SINGLE-
the engagement with and uptake of
our cup reuse system, CupCycling™.
USE COFFEE CUPS
Customers pay a small one-
FROM LANDFILL,
off bond to borrow a reusable WHILE KANTEEN,
CupCycling™ cup from a participating THE CAFE AT THE
cafe and can then return the used BASE OF THE NZ
cup to any participating CupCycling™ POST HEAD OFFICE
outlet and get a clean cup with their
IN WELLINGTON,
next drink ... and around and around
they go.
DIVERTED MORE
THAN 10,000 IN FIVE
MONTHS.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 19Park Road Kitchen is one of six
cafes in Titirangi participating in
CupCycling™ as part of the Love
Titirangi initiative.
A number of other large
corporate businesses are now
considering implementing
Corporate CupCycling™ in their
organisations. It’s a cost-effective,
We’ve developed a data tangible, easy-to-implement,
collection system so cafes can successful and measurable system
report their weekly tally of cups for any business that is serious
We’re excited to be kicking off diverted from landfill and we, in about diverting single-use products
2019 with a CupCycling™ roll-out in turn, can report that data to our from its waste stream.
Dunedin in February, with Thames, stakeholders. It’s crucial that we are We’re beyond excited about the
Southland, Whakatane, Tauranga, able to demonstrate the measurable opportunities we are working on in
Queenstown, Wanaka, Waipa, impact CupCycling™ is having in a 2019 and about the partnerships
Carterton and more set to join the community or region and provide we are forging with amazing New
movement this year. stakeholders with accurate data and Zealand organisations that want to
We have been proactive in reporting. make positive, sustainable change
garnering regional stakeholder buy- CupCycling™ isn’t just for cafes and support a unique, New Zealand-
in wherever possible. It’s a great way in a town or city, however. We have made product and business, run by
for local councils and community now developed the programme honest people who want to do the
boards to assist cafe owners to get for the corporate environment. It’s right thing. It’s in our DNA and if it’s
CupCycling™ underway in their particularly effective for businesses in yours too, why not get in touch?
town or city. We’ve been fortunate where staff frequent on-site cafes.
to receive funding from a number We call this Corporate CupCycling™.
of councils and community boards In June 2018, we rolled out
that see the merit in supporting Corporate CupCycling™ at Kanteen,
the movement in their respective the cafe at the base of the New
regions. It’s a win-win-win – for the Zealand Post head office building in
retailers, the stakeholders and the Wellington. In less than five months,
environment. more than 10,000 single-use cups
had been diverted from landfill.
Stephanie Fry co-owns and manages
Having read about the success at
IdealCup and Celcius Coffee with her
NZ Post, Fonterra contacted us, and husband Nick. Award-winning company
IdealCup was the first to design and
we’ve now successfully rolled out
manufacture a New Zealand-made reusable
Corporate CupCycling™ at Fonterra’s cup, and provides leadership with its vision
head office in Auckland. for a cleaner, greener Aotearoa by giving
Kiwis the option to reuse, and reduce waste
in our landfills, via the CupCycling™ initiative.
idealcup.co.nz
Facebook @idealcup
Instagram @idealcupnewzealand
Facebook | Instagram @cupcyclingnz
20“WE B E L I EVE IN R ESO U RCE U SE THAT PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE MEETI NG
T HE N E E D S O F P EO P LE N OW AN D IN THE F UTURE.” – ENVIRONZ SUSTAINAB ILITY POLI CY
O C E S S IN G LA
NDFILL
PR
I C C O MP LLECTION S PLA N T
AN CO GA
G
OS
OR
T
Composting Gas to Energy
PR
O D UCE Garden and kitchen D OR C
Residual waste R
ECT ICITY
organic waste OL O EL
H
M
E
HOUS
PANY
NS U M ER LLECTION
CO CO
Resource
Recovery
ED P R O D
Recyclables such COVERY
L RE
YC as paper, glass,
UC
R EC
plastic and
T
aluminium
UFACT
AN U
M
RE
RE
If you would like to know more about our services, visit www.environz.co.nz or call 0800 240 120.WASTE , NOT WASTED
E TO BE USED
ARESOURC
Harrison Grierson Proven Energy from Waste The status quo is
(EfW) technology generates
engineering unsustainable
clean resources from residual
Landfilling our waste is a short-term
solutions manager waste. It is the vital piece of the
solution. It is recognised as the least
Holger Zipfel waste treatment puzzle for New
preferred disposal method for waste
Zealand to achieve a long-term
and Hana Kirk, sustainable green solution to waste
in terms of risk to human health and
a graduate management.
the environment. It contaminates
rangi (air), whenua (land) and wai
mechanical (water) due to methane emissions
Clean and green?
engineer with the New Zealand is lagging behind other
and leachate discharge. Although
company, explain developed countries when it comes
methane can be captured, landfills
are not a closed system, and
the benefits of to waste management practices. Our
pollution cannot be controlled for
clean, green reputation is at stake.
proven Energy Compared to other OECD
the entire lifetime of a landfill.
from Waste (EfW) countries, we are 1.7 times the
None of the materials sent to
technology. average for total annual greenhouse
landfills are converted into reusable
material, and comparatively little
I
gas emissions, 1.4 times for
energy is produced.
NCREASINGLY WE ARE facing municipal waste generation and
In 2000, combustible
the effects of climate change 1.3 times for municipal waste to
waste landfilling was banned
and the rapid growth of urban landfills. In 2015, we collected 1.5
in Switzerland. After 18 years,
living. Our everyday living is million tonnes of domestic kerbside
decommissioning of contaminated
laden with consumption. This is very waste. Of this, 1.1 million tonnes
landfill sites is still in progress and
difficult to avoid and carries a huge of untreated waste was landfilled
has been estimated to cost more
environmental cost. Among other and only 25 per cent of domestic
than NZ$7.5 billion. The first fully
things, sea levels are rising and kerbside waste was recovered.
decommissioned site in Kölliken
plastics are polluting our oceans.
alone cost NZ$1.4 billion.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 23Creating energy
from waste
Proven Energy from Waste (EfW)
technology generates clean 6 9
resources from residual waste. To
achieve New Zealand’s zero waste 8
2 3
aspirations, the lifespan of resources
must be maximised, then recycled 7
1
and repurposed at the end of each
service life. While there will always
4
be a percentage of waste that is
5
not recyclable, this can be used
to generate energy in the form of
electricity and heat.
There is a linear trend in
New Zealand of GDP increase
and municipal waste produced
per capita. EfW provides the
1 Tipping hall 7 Energy utilisation: the plant
technological support required for
can be configured to three
immediate advancement and is a 2 Waste bunker main concepts: Electric
stepping stone toward a circular
Power, Combined Heat and
economy. It provides a solution 3 Feed hopper: waste fed into Power, and Combined Cold
to the limitations set on recycling combustion chamber by
and Power.
complex materials. As our inferior waste crane.
quality plastics are exported 8 Flue gas treatment: flue
to emerging countries, we lose 4 Grate combustion: gas pollutants produced
control and pass on responsibility, optimised waste feeding
from waste combustion are
potentially allowing waste to end up combustion control system
cleaned before discharge
polluting the environment or being which integrates flue gas
into the environment. Fly
incinerated inadequately. recirculation and bottom
ash washing (optional)
EfW technology can eliminate ash handling.
removes or immobilises fly
the need for landfill and the export ash contaminants. Effluent
of inferior plastics. Adopting this 5 Bottom ash treatment: this
treatment: flue gas and
approach would enable New inert bottom ash consists of
fly ash treatment residue
Zealand to take responsibility for non-combustible material,
removes contaminants,
all waste produced by managing where metals and minerals
such as heavy metals and
waste domestically, simultaneously can be recovered, which is
ammonia. Contaminants
converting it to clean energy. environmentally beneficial
such as mercury or zinc
and can be made profitable.
can be recovered for
EfW – the Swiss
example 6 Ammonia injection: recycling.
nitrogen oxide generated
Switzerland has a well-established
during combustion is
9 Stack
resource management system
converted into harmless
with 100 per cent recovery of all
nitrogen and water.
waste material. Of the total waste
produced, 52 per cent is sustainably
repurposed, and the residual 48
per cent is recovered through EfW.
This demonstrates EfW technology
can work well in collaboration with
recycling efforts.
24References
EfW facts Jones, G. Do ‘waste to energy’ plants
discourage recycling? Waste Management
EfW plants are controlled, closed
World, Nov–Dec 2018
systems enabling complete
Eunomia. (2017). The New Zealand
monitoring and treatment of by-
It creates opportunities to Waste Disposal Levy: Potential impacts of
products. They are engineered to
work with tangata whenua and will adjustments to the current levy rate and
suit feedstock, preferred energy structure.
support stronger communities and
utilisation and environmental bit.ly/OECDGreenhouseGasEmissions
partnerships. EfW will drive a shift
regulations. Energy, heat, precious
toward sustainable lifestyles leaving bit.ly/OECDMunicipalWaste
metals, CO2, inert ash and aggregate
our rangi, whenua and wai in the bit.ly/LowEmissionsEconomy
can be captured from this process.
best possible condition for future NZ Productivity Commission. (2018).
EfW is a well-developed and
generations. Low-emissions economy.
established technology integrated
bit.ly/ContaminatedSites
in many developed countries. Air Conclusion bit.ly/SwissContaminatedSite
pollutant emissions are less than Tangata whenua believe that
bit.ly/OECDEnvironmentGlance
that of road traffic. everything and everyone is
OECD. (2017). Environmental Performance
The feedstock for EfW is residual interconnected, and therefore Reviews: New Zealand 2017
waste, which no other technology should be valued and cared for.
RNZ. New Zealand’s role in the Malaysian
can sustainability treat. This is The well-being of the people is plastics dumping ground. 23 Sept 2018
material that is either contaminated directly related to the well-being bit.ly/EPAAirEmissions
or has reached the end of its service of all natural resources. Using
life (plastic significantly degrades residual waste and converting
each time it is recycled and has a it into beneficial resources
finite lifetime). With the aid of EfW sustainably aligns with the roots
technology, what is perceived as of New Zealand culture and our
waste can be utilised and converted clean, green reputation. Adopting
into beneficial resources. the EfW approach will enable New
Zealanders to take responsibility of Hana Kirk is a recent University of Auckland
Sustainable natural all our waste produced by managing mechanical engineering graduate. She
resources for future this sustainably.
has provided in-depth insight for Energy
for Waste opportunities for Auckland,
generations and researched the economic effects of
Apart from the evident Harrison Grierson is a leading integrating EfW technology and increasing
the landfill levy. Hana is part of Harrison
environmental and economic New Zealand-owned engineering Grierson’s Engineering Solutions team, where
benefits, there are social, cultural and design consultancy providing she has developed a passion for creating
and technological benefits to EfW. sustainable living environments, and utilising
professional services in the
what is perceived waste as a resource.
These key benefits underpin the market sectors of water and the
recent Renew Energy Ltd proposal environment, land and buildings,
for a state of the art EfW facility utilities and transport throughout
to be built in the Buller District, Australia, New Zealand and the
where it predicts an increase in full- South Pacific. In business for 134
time employment opportunities. years, Harrison Grierson has nine
The EfW facility will be a catalyst Holger Zipfel is the engineering solutions
offices across New Zealand.
manager at Harrison Grierson, leading the
for collaboration and co-location Visit harrisongrierson.com Building Services and Mechanical & Electrical
of businesses that can utilise EfW Teams. He has returned to New Zealand
after working in Switzerland implementing
facility by-products for industries
EfW technologies in England and Ireland.
such as hydroponic farming, food Having lived in Germany and Switzerland,
processing and construction Holger has experienced an integrated waste
management system in action, where
products’ manufacturing. waste reduction, reuse, recycling and energy
recovery are common practice.
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 25DIY GARAGE SALE
DIVERTS 15 TONNES
FROM LANDFILL
A bright idea to turn products destined for landfill into bargains for
DIY enthusiasts raised $11,000 for a local primary school.
A
GIANT DIY GARAGE Sale industry, also struggling with Council and managed by volunteers
in Cambridge has saved construction “leftovers”, were quick from Cambridge East School.
nearly 15 tonnes — to jump on board. When the doors closed, the
around 13 skip bins — of Around 15 local firms got volunteers banked $11,000 into
construction waste from landfill. involved, donating products the school’s fundraising account,
In the process, it’s raised ranging from kitchen sinks to and Rob May Builders director Jono
$11,000 for a local primary school paint, GIB board and boxes of McCullough was left smiling.
and has kicked off an idea that looks small goods like doorknobs. Some “We try not to be wasteful, but
set to roll out across the country. were brand new, and others were there are always some leftover
The idea of turning products end-of-line products or simply no products at the end of each build.
destined for landfill into bargains longer needed. These materials are either thrown
for DIY enthusiasts came from Instead, all were put up for sale out or stored to be used at a later
Cambridge-based Rob May during a giant DIY Garage Sale date,” McCullough said.
Builders and was supported by hosted by Shaw’s Wire Ropes at their “We’ve been looking at better
Waipā District Council. Others massive undercover premises. The ways to manage this, but there are
involved in the construction sale was promoted by Waipā District always some products that slip
26Bargain-hunters Steph and
Glen Curin joined the crowds
at the DIY Garage Sale in
Cambridge.
Everything including the
kitchen sink was up for grabs!
through the cracks. This event was between the local building industry,
“IT’S AMAZING TO great because we’re finding new council and Cambridge East School,
SEE HOW OUR uses for our waste, keeping material not only to pull off a great event
LOCAL COMMUNITY out of landfill and supporting a but to help educate the community
TOOK HOLD OF local school in the process. It was a that there are other options for
THIS ONE IDEA. win-win all round.” waste.”
RETHINKING HOW Bargain hunters
Nor did the event blow Fraser’s
modest budget, which comes
WE RECYCLE OUR The community agreed. On the day from the government’s waste
PRODUCT HAS more than 500 bargain hunters minimisation fund. The Council
BENEFITED NOT JUST poured through the sale, many spent $6,200 on the event, only just
A LOCAL SCHOOL leaving with bargains and all doing surpassing the estimated $5,000 it
BUT THE PEOPLE their bit for waste minimisation. Any would have cost for local companies
products left over were donated to
AND FACILITIES OF Habitat for Humanity.
to dump the goods at a landfill.
THIS BEAUTIFUL Waipā District Council’s waste
“Facebook was key in terms
of marketing. We reached almost
TOWN. WE’RE minimisation officer Sally Fraser 40,000 people, and a quick
LOOKING FORWARD was thrilled by the success of 30-second video we made was
TO A BIGGER AND the event, which saw everything viewed more than 5,000 times,”
BETTER EVENT NEXT “including a couple of kitchen sinks” she said.
YEAR.” taken away and reused. “Local media were also
“There’s truth to the saying interested and ran quite a few
that one person’s trash is another stories, which was great. I think if
person’s treasure and we really you lived in Cambridge or the Waipā
saw that at this event. It was just district, the DIY Garage Sale was
so good to see the collaboration hard to miss.”
MARCH 2019 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 27Angela Stockley and Gord Thomas
were two of those grabbing
bargains.
Along with Rob May Builders,
she’s identified the ‘factors for
McCullough said the event success’ to make similar events hum.
identified a community need and “You need a well-known and
opportunity that could easily be well-respected local from within
replicated in towns across the the building or construction
country. Then, as the morning moved on, we
industry to lead it, and that
“It’s amazing to see how our changed again to ‘make-an-offer’.
company should choose where the
local community took hold of this This was about moving stuff on so it
money goes because it gives them
one idea. Rethinking how we recycle could be useful elsewhere.”
a personal stake in the event going
our product has benefited not just Waipā has already offered
well,” she said.
a local school but the people and to share its knowledge and
“You need an organisation
facilities of this beautiful town. templates developed for the event
that is genuinely interested in
We’re looking forward to a bigger with anyone interested. With a
minimising waste; this isn’t about
and better event next year.” Cambridge event locked in again
just getting rid of stuff. You need
for next year, Fraser is hoping an
volunteers who are happy to
Factors for success manage the event on the day. And
industry leader on the western side
Fraser, meanwhile, has been helping of the Waipā district will step up to
it’s a good idea to get the local
spread the word so that councils the plate.
council involved because they use
nationwide can help stimulate local In the meantime, the DIY Garage
their channels to help promote the
interest in doing something similar. Sale has already won accolades
event and spread the word.”
“Construction and demolition from Wellington. Associate Minister
You also need to be realistic,
waste makes up an estimated 11.5 for the Environment Eugenie Sage
she said.
per cent of all waste in the greater said wasting good, usable products
“We priced everything the night
Waikato region — around 26,000 was “not the Kiwi way”.
before, and we weren’t greedy.
tonnes of product each year. Across “The DIY scheme is a fantastic
On the day, we reassessed how
the country, the numbers are huge.” example of making recycling a
things were going and at one point,
snap rather than a headache. The
dropped everything to half price.
leadership Waipā is showing is a
great contribution to this shift to
more sustainable thinking.”
28You can also read
