THE FUTURE OF FARM INORGANIC WASTE STEWARDSHIP - KERBSIDE RECYCLING 30 YEARS OF WASTEMINZ
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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE NZ
AUGUST 2018 \ ISSUE 168 \ $ 9.00
THE FUTURE
OF FARM
INORGANIC
WASTE
STEWARDSHIP LOOKING BACK AT
KERBSIDE 30 YEARS OF
WASTEMINZ
RECYCLING
CIRCULAR ECONOMY | NESCS AND HAIL AMENDMENTS
WASTEMINZ MEMBERS
P L ATIN U M
AUCKLAND COUNCIL
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
GO L D SILVER
ADSTAFF PERSONNEL
3R GROUP adstaff.co.nz
3R.co.nz
AECOM
aecom.com
EARTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL
FOODSTUFFS NZ
earthcarenz.co.nz
foodstuffsnz.co.nz
GEOFABRICS NZ
ENVIRONZ geofabrics.co.nz
environz.co.nz
MANCO
manco.co.nz
INTERGROUP
OJI FIBRE SOLUTIONS
intergroup.co.nz
ojifs.com
OMARUNUI LANDFILL
O-I NEW ZEALAND hastingsdc.govt.nz
o-i.com
ONYX GROUP
onyxgroup.co.nz
SMART ENVIRONMENTAL PLASBACK
smartenvironmental.co.nz
plasback.co.nz
PROGRESSIVE ENTERPRISES
SULO (N.Z.) progressive.co.nz
sulo.co.nz
SCION RESEARCH
scionresearch.com
TONKIN + TAYLOR SIMS RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
tonkin.co.nz
apac.simsrecycling.com
STANTEC
VISY RECYCLING NZ mwhglobal.co.nz
visy.co.nz
THE PACKAGING FORUM
packagingforum.org.nz
WASTE MANAGEMENT NZ WASTENET SOUTHLAND
wastemanagement.co.nz wastenet.org.nz
2
ON THE COVER THE CHURCH OF THE
12
GOOD SHEPHERD IN TEKAPO
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Paul Evans \ +64 9 476 7172
11
THE WAY FORWARD WITH WASTE
paul@wasteminz.org.nz
Opposition environment
18
MEMBERSHIP & FINANCE MANAGER spokesperson Scott Simpson sees an
CJ Dooner \ +64 9 476 7162 opportunity in New Zealand taking
cj@wasteminz.org.nz more responsibility for its waste
SECTOR GROUP CO-ORDINATOR
Jenny Marshall \ +64 9 476 7164
jenny@wasteminz.org.nz
12
PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP
ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR Adele Rose predicts that as part of
Justine Robinson \ +64 9 476 7163 the move to a circular economy,
justine@wasteminz.org.nz product stewardship will become a
SECTOR PROJECTS MANAGER familiar term to consumers. INDUSTRY ALSO
Nic Quilty \ +64 9 476 7167
NEEDS TO SUPPORT
nic@wasteminz.org.nz 18 RECYCLING THROUGH
THE FUTURE OF FARM INORGANIC
SUSTAINABILIT Y ADVISOR
Sarah Pritchett \ +64 21 0825 4060 WASTE STEWARDSHIP
ACCREDITATION
sarahp@wasteminz.org.nz Simon Andrew points out that an PROGRAMMES AND
COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA integrated approach to manage ASSESS PRODUCTS
LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE farm waste is needed. PRIOR TO THEM
Sarah van Boheemen \ +64 9 320 3415
BECOMING A WASTE
sarah@wasteminz.org.nz
22 ISSUE.
EDITOR, REVOLVE KERBSIDE RECYCLING
Kim Mundell \ +64 21 655 917 New Zealand’s first kerbside
wasteminz@gmail.com
recycling service started in
SUB-EDITOR, REVOLVE Devonport more than 40 years
Julie O'Brien ago. Richard Tong was involved and
11
wasteminz@gmail.com
reports on how it happened.
DESIGN, REVOLVE
Leanne Lassman \ +64 21 267 3885
leanne@electrichedgehog.co.nz
27
NESCS AND HAIL AMENDMENTS
T +64 9 476 7162 Paul Evans provides an update on
PO Box 305426, Triton Plaza where these amendments are at. REGULARS
North Shore 0757
02 MEMBERS
Unit 2, 5 Orbit Drive, Rosedale 0632
New Zealand
29 04 FROM PAUL’S DESK
30 YEARS OF WASTEMINZ
wasteminz.org.nz
Tony Kortegast surveys WasteMINZ’s 05 YOUR BOARD
30 years, from its humble 07 NEWS BITES
WasteMINZ is the leading professional body
for waste management, resource recovery
beginnings to its central role in 09 MOVERS & SHAKERS
and contaminated land management
waste minimisation policy and 32 FROM THE REGIONS
in New Zealand. We deliver value to our practice today. 34 SECTOR GROUPS
members through the shaping and sharing
of policy and the development of industry
good practice.
WasteMINZ publishes revolve magazine
four times a year, it plays a vital role in
ensuring our members are up-to-date
with the latest in industry news, policy and
legislative changes as well as innovations
and advances.
ISSN 2324-5417 (Print)
ISSN 2324-5425 (Online)
22 AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 3
FROM
PAUL'S DESK Paul Evans
CEO, WasteMINZ
Talk to me paul@wasteminz.org.nz
+64 9 476 7172
Over the past six months the In a time where the Product Stewardship: Interest in
WasteMINZ Board has been placing a government’s environmental product stewardship has never been
focus on ensuring we deliver strong focus is on other areas, we feel it is higher. The change in government,
value to all WasteMINZ members. appropriate to invest significantly to combined with China’s National
This has included a close ensure that we continue to advance Sword initiative, has brought us to a
assessment of what we do well, this critical part of WasteMINZ. We crunch point. The need for decisive
and where we need to place extra need to support and enable the and positive action is now.
emphasis to ensure the organisation Ministry for the Environment while Our recent research in this area
prospers for another 30 years. their resourcing is constrained. So, (bit.ly/StewardshipResearch) shows
This has been a very positive over the coming months you will there’s incredibly strong support
process. It ensures that we are see several new initiatives. These for product stewardship from our
engaging the right people, and include: members and their priorities are
leading strategic conversations • a dedicated CLM e-newsletter very clear. Based on this work we
across our sector. • a significantly enhanced webinar are in the process of establishing a
Over the next 12 months, in programme Product Stewardship Sector Group,
addition to maintaining our current which I firmly believe will become
• regular networking and
high-quality services, we will be the go-to organisation for evidence-
education events throughout the
placing additional emphasis on based stewardship initiatives.
country
two vital parts of our membership We have a powerful legislative
• a new online knowledge sharing
offering. These are: framework available; our role will be
group
• Contaminated Land to ensure that it’s used effectively.
Management, and • the introduction of CLM specific
• Product Stewardship.
awards at our conference.
EXCITING TIMES
Contaminated Land Management
We are also taking the opportunity
AHEAD - I CAN’T
to look at our future event options,
(CLM): Our CLM Sector Group has
to ensure we are well placed to meet
WAIT!
been at the forefront of the industry
member needs.
for the past 25 years. In that time,
We are also extremely lucky
they’ve played an influential role
to have a highly engaged steering
in shaping industry guidance,
committee, chaired by the ever-
advancing knowledge development
capable Michelle Begbie, who are
and contributing to leading-edge
keen to do things a bit differently. So,
practice.
watch this space, and do get in touch
if you have any questions.
5 - 8 N OV EMB ER | CH R I S TCH U RC H
4
YOUR
BOARD Ian Stupple
WasteMINZ Board
Ian.Stupple@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
HOW TO
China’s recycling policy change is considerably further down the track CONTACT
clearly a huge challenge for many
of us right now, both financially and
than we are in Aotearoa. The data,
research, and evidence previously
YOUR BOARD
reputationally. funded by the Ministry, councils and MEMBERS
It’s clear that there is no industry is freely available, so let’s
quick fix; it will take a sustained use it — now is the time for decisive
industry-wide approach to get leadership and quick action to
us to a sustainable solution. So, ensure we aren’t left behind.
the recent intensified discussions An example of this available
around the circular economy and data is the compelling evidence
producer responsibility are clearly
for the introduction of a container
very timely.
deposit scheme, particularly to
What is also clear is that we
support community enterprises,
need central government to take
provide high-quality source-
the lead and to put in place the
separated materials and better
key drivers. But, we are, of course,
define the responsibilities of
here to support them. We have
producers and consumers.
offered assistance to the Ministry
As a new WasteMINZ Board
for the Environment, and across
member, I feel very privileged to be
the WasteMINZ membership there
part of such a great organisation.
is significant resource for the
It’s clear to me that our strength
government to tap into.
is in our diversity of members and
A lot of detailed research
breadth of views. Our governance
work has already been done in
and leadership are strong, and as left-to-right top, middle, bottom
this space, and the key issues are
Darren Patterson CHAIR
well summarised in WasteMINZ’s members, we are supported by a
darren@pattersonenvironmental.co.nz
recent discussion document, very talented and passionate team
Roderick Boys
Rebooting Recycling (bit.ly/ of staff. Roderick.Boys@wcc.govt.nz
RebootRecycling). It demonstrates WasteMINZ is increasingly seen Grahame Christian
grahamec@smartenvironmental.co.nz
how, as an industry, we can pull as the go-to organisation for all
Simonne Eldridge DEPUT Y CHAIR
together for the greater good. things waste and resource recovery,
seldridge@tonkin.co.nz
We also have much to learn and rightly so. What a great
Wayne Plummer
from how other countries are opportunity we have, to build on wayne.plummer@environz.co.nz
dealing with this. Across Europe this, and through WasteMINZ create Ian Stupple
and Australia, governments are a circular economy for Aotearoa. Ian.Stupple@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 5
I N GT
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OPEN
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ELL ON
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ASBESTOS TESTING
YOUR INTERESTS
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We’re completely focused on what’s important to you.
So in order to give your test due care and attention, we
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This ensures we can provide results that are not only
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With laboratories in Hamilton, Christchurch, Auckland
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laboratory open in central Wellington, we've got
New Zealand well and truly covered!
'
MORE FREEPHONE 0508 HILL LAB (44 555 22)
www.hill-laboratories.com
NEWS BITES
Tyre recycling
facility opened
Waste Management NZ recently
welcomed Associate Minister for the
Environment Hon Eugenie Sage and
Auckland mayor Phil Goff to open
its new tyre recycling facility in Wiri,
Auckland.
With support from the Ministry
for the Environment’s Waste
Minimisation Fund, Waste
Management has invested in
innovative new tyre processing
equipment from the United States,
expanding the processing capacity
of the company’s facility by 250
per cent.
Waste Management managing
EcoCentral’s new baler processes 27 tonnes per hour of old corrugated
cardboard and newsprint. director Tom Nickels said he was
delighted the Minister could
EcoCentral goes per cent less electricity per tonne
baled.
attend the opening and celebrate
large with new this positive step forward for tyre
recycling in New Zealand. Waste
baler The HSM baler’s hydraulic system
uses three variable speed drives to
Management plans to open another
One of the country’s main tyre recycling facility in the South
quietly ramp the electric motors
processors of post-consumer Island in late 2019.
up to speed in each direction; this
recyclables, EcoCentral, now
eliminates the shudder of directional
operates the largest and fastest
valves and the shock of full flow. The
automatic baler in New Zealand.
design meant the existing power
The new baler, manufactured by supply transformer and cabling
German-based HSM and supplied by didn’t need an upgrade, despite
local waste and recycling equipment the baler having 145 per cent more
company Pioneer Group, weighs
capability than the machine it
in at 42 tonnes and processes
replaced.
old corrugated cardboard and
newsprint at a rate of 27 tonnes per The contract with EcoCentral for
hour. Despite this size and speed, the supply of the new baler was won on
baler is remarkably quiet. the basis of purchase price and total
cost of ownership. HSM, a private
This quiet efficiency is reflected in
the first benefits the EcoCentral company, is the world’s largest
team noticed: 15 per cent denser manufacturer of vertical balers
bales means four fewer forklift and builder of the most advanced
movements between the baler and horizontal balers. Pioneer Group is
holding area, two fewer movements the distributor of HSM horizontal
to load an export container and 40 balers in New Zealand and Australia.
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 7
CLM NETWORKING EVENT
Thursday 16 August 2018 \
5.00pm to 7.00pm
Tonkin + Taylor, Wellington
Bin design doesn’t need to be rubbish
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
WasteMINZ welcomes new member Method Recycling. Method’s co-founders
Steven and India Korner spent three years mastering Method’s award-winning
LEADERSHIP
products – holding focus groups, preparing prototypes and even assisting Thursday 30 August 2018 \
cleaners on night shifts. All this hard work paid off, resulting in the Method 60 5.00pm to 7.00pm
litre office recycling bins that connect to form-adaptable recycling stations. Otago Museum
Method has been the long-term sustainability solution for Wellington Airport, Event will also be live-streamed for
Xero, University of Melbourne, BNZ, Sydney Cricket Ground and more. those unable to attend
Last month Method completed their biggest North American order to date,
implementing 1000 recycling bins in a thought-leading facility in New York
WASTEMINZ 30TH ANNUAL
City. Other highlights of 2018 include working with a prestigious architecture CONFERENCE – TARGET 2050
firm in London and supplying the Australasian offices of one of the world’s most Monday 5 to Thursday 8
innovative sustainable automobile companies. November 2018
Air Force Museum of New Zealand,
“Our bins have been designed to be flexible for the future, with the ability to be
Christchurch
customised as we work towards a circular economy,” said Steve Korner.
Find out more at:
methodrecycling.com
We will be releasing more
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
information as the year
CORPORATE SMALL BUSINESS progresses, but for now, diary
Australia New Zealand Ahika Consulting these dates.
Recycling Platform
Coastal Bins
And keep up to date at
INDIVIDUAL Computer Recycling
bit.ly/WasteMINZEvents
Rachel Rait Easy Earth
IdealCup
STUDENT
Little & Brave Eco Nappies
Sarah Grant
Method
Sealed Air
Total Waste Solutions
8
MOVERS & SHAKERS
LEE BINT HARRIET LOCK-INGHAM DR JONNO HILL
Lee joined the New Zealand Defence Harriet arrived in New Zealand Jonno is the recently appointed chief
Force this year as sustainability earlier this year from the United executive officer of Hill Laboratories.
framework manager for the Defence Kingdom and joined New Plymouth He has extensive experience at Hill,
estate and infrastructure unit. This District Council in April as the beginning as a technologist and later
is a new area of focus for NZDF, and regional waste minimisation officer becoming an analytical technology
her appointment represents an for the Taranaki region. She has two team leader, section manager and
increased focus and ambition to Masters’ degrees in environmental divisional manager. Most recently he
improve sustainable practices across science and seven years of diverse was general manager of technology
the board for the regeneration of experience in waste minimisation, on the executive leadership team.
the Defence estate. It will require community engagement and project Jonno has a PhD in organic synthetic
the support of partners and supply management. Harriet’s passion is chemistry. Hill Laboratories is an
chain to deliver on this ambition. Lee food-waste prevention and she is independently owned and operated
brings her expertise from BRANZ, excited about getting stuck into analytical laboratory, that was
where she was a sustainable building Plastic Free July planning, as well established in 1984 by Jonno’s
scientist for the past six years. as implementing a comprehensive parents, Roger and Anne Hill. They
Lee can be contacted at recycling education strategy to both remain active in key roles in
Lee.Bint@nzdf.mil.nz. tackle recycling contamination. the business today. Jonno can be
Harriet would love to share ideas contacted at jonno.hill@hill-labs.
and experiences and can be co.nz or visit hill-laboratories.com
contacted at harriet.lockingham@ to find out more.
npdc.govt.nz.
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MAY 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \
EEnvironmentally
En
n Friendly, Easy to use, Reduces
SUSTAINABILITY
We continue to deliver to our Sustainability Commitment
with the recent launch of our Tyre Recycling Centre.
This new facility is a significant step forward in managing
NEW ZEALAND
the environmental problem of end-of-life tyres. Our centre
provides a local solution for these tyres, by upcycling
a traditionally discarded energy source into fuel alternative,
CAN COUNT ON
Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF).
We are committed to making a difference and working
toward a truly circular economy for New Zealand.
1,200,000
3 ELECTRIC
TONNES COLLECTED
TRUCKS
MORE THAN CONVERTED, WITH
18,000
20 MORE BY 2019
NATIONAL GRID
HOMES POWERED BY
RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMERCIAL
800
COLLECTION
INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL
TRUCKS
GAS CAPTURE
EFFICIENCY
GREATER THAN
90% ELECTRICITY
PR
N
OC
REGENERATIO
35%
ESSIN
LIGHT FLEET
G
POWER
GENERATION MOVING TO
ELECTRIC BY 2019
100%
TRANSFER
STATION
OF LEACHATE
CAPTURED
LANDFILL AND
ENERGY PARK 75,000
TONNES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE REMOVED
AND TREATED
140,000 R E C Y C LIN G
CUBIC METRES OF
LANDFILL SPACE
SAVED MATERIAL
145,000
TONNES OF RECYCLING
RECOVERY
FACILITY COLLECTED
80,000 TYRE
TONNES OF FOOD AND
GARDEN WASTE TURNED RECYCLING
INTO COMPOST FOR ALTERNATIVE
FUEL COMMENCED
BASED ON WASTE MANAGEMENT NZ LIMITED’S 2017 NATIONAL FIGURES.
PUT SIMPLY, SUSTAINABILITY IS WHAT WE DO.
wastemanagement.co.nzis the inevitability of change and the
need to evolve our thinking around
the impact our consumption has on Moving from a linear mindset to
the environment. a circular one will set us on the right
China’s decision to cease being path to achieving the waste sector’s
WASTE:
an international receptacle for other contribution to our climate change
countries’ recycling efforts is both and environmental ambitions.
OUR WAY
a challenge and an opportunity for
nations like ours. The immediate and Our challenge
short-term impact is that previously Waste represents a huge opportunity,
FORWARD exported recyclable materials
are being stockpiled around New
and the challenge is for us to take
advantage of it. Acting on waste
Zealand, and some materials are even can drive transformation and bring
positive change throughout our
Opposition being sent to landfill. But China’s
economy. Ultimately doing so will
decision will force change that I
spokesperson for believe will ultimately be beneficial. move us to a different model, a model
the Environment Manufacturers, consumers, where the lifecycle of all material is
Scott Simpson local and central government, maximised, where usage is optimised,
and then at the end of useful life, all
sees an increased organisations such as WasteMINZ
materials are fully reutilised.
and other environmental and
focus on waste community NGOs will need to work A change like this will mean
minimisation as together to find new solutions. Had moving away from our traditional
take-make-waste model to a more
bringing positive China not made the decision to cease
sustainable and efficient structure
taking our waste, it’s unlikely such
change for the local change would have occurred. that will be good not only for the
economy. environment but our economy as
Becoming more
T
well.
HE DECISION by National circular The circular economy is not a new
Party leader Simon Over the years, packaging has become concept. It’s the kind of thing our
Bridges to offer bipartisan more complex with multiple layers, parents and grandparents used to do
support to establish a materials, colours and combinations. as an everyday part of life. In policy
climate change commission is a All this has made recycling more terms, it has been around since the
significant and positive step forward. difficult and more marginal. But there 1960s, but today it’s more relevant
Announcing the offer to work with have also been positives. than ever before and will be crucial to
the government, he said that our size The recent shift from polystyrene set us on the right waste pathway for
as a nation does not abdicate us from meat trays to recycled PET (RPET) the future.
our responsibility, and he is right. trays made from PET bottles
To help fulfil our goals, we will collected from kerbside recycling
need to include a more concentrated programmes is a good example of
and concerted focus on waste manufacturers, brands, retailers
minimisation. Doing so will be an and recyclers working together for
important part of achieving our a positive outcome. Indeed, Flight
climate change aspirations. Plastics’ RPET facility is an excellent
There is still much uncertainty example of a more circular recycling Hon Scott Simpson is the National MP
about the new government’s policies, approach coming on stream. for Coromandel. He is the Opposition
spokesperson for the Environment
but the one thing we can be sure of Ultimately and progressively, it will be
and was formerly Associate Minister
this approach that will provide many for the Environment. His main policy
of the answers we are looking for. interests include climate change issues,
environmental protection, fresh water
quality and marine protected areas.
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 11A CIRCULAR
FUTURE WITH
STEWARDSHIP
AT THE CENTRE
3R Group chief executive Adele Rose looks
into the future and finds that by 2050 — or
sooner — product stewardship will become
just as familiar a term to consumers as 'fair
trade' and 'organically grown' are today.
M
ENTION THE TERM will certainly become common
‘product stewardship’ place long before 2050. The circular
to the first person economy is the economy of the
you bump into on the future, and ironically also one
street and chances are you will be from the past.
met with a blank look.
The truth is, it’s not a widely
Circular
known concept in New Zealand. It
principals
In generations past
also is and isn’t a simple one either.
there was a far
Suggest that manufacturers and
higher value placed
retailers should take responsibility
on things. When
for the products they make and sell
your TV broke you
throughout the lifetime of those
didn’t immediately
products, and the blank look will
throw it away, you
probably turn into a puzzled one.
had it repaired if
Fast-forward to the year 2050
possible. Things
and this will be a different story.
like children’s toys
The terms ‘sustainably produced’,
were more durable
‘fair trade’, ‘organically grown’ and
and weren’t bought
the like were little known or not
on mass.
even coined 20 or 30 years ago but
We generally
are now part of everyday life. In the
had less stuff, and
same way, talking about product
the stuff we had lasted
stewardship will certainly be
longer, was repaired and
common place 32 years from now.
reused. Simply getting rid
The reason for this is that
of something and buying
product stewardship is a
new wasn’t the knee-jerk
cornerstone of the circular economy
reaction it is today.
— another little-known phrase that
12participating producers from
Stewardship in the taking a free ride. In New Zealand,
Moving to a circular economy here and now mandatory stewardship can only
isn’t about nostalgia or an So where are we now? Currently happen when the Minister for the
ideologically nice thing to do. It’s also there are 14 voluntary, Environment declares a priority
not because it’s the environmentally government-accredited product product under the Act.
responsible thing to do, but rather stewardship schemes in New Priority product status has
because the linear economy and its Zealand, ranging from container never been declared in New Zealand.
basis of infinite growth from finite glass to concrete, and agricultural However, recent comments
resources is intrinsically flawed and plastic to waste oil. These vary in by Associate Minister for the
cannot survive. We cannot survive it. size and effectiveness and rely on Environment Eugenie Sage point to
In a future in which the circular manufacturers and retailers to a quickly growing probability that
economy is in full swing, having a do the right thing by voluntarily we will soon see the country’s first
product stewardship scheme will contributing to schemes that mandatory declaration.
be standard practice. Consumers collect and recycle or properly End-of-life tyres are a good
will expect it, so much so that it dispose of the products. example of how mandatory
won’t even enter discussion — it Granted, each scheme covers a stewardship is the best route to
will simply be the way number of different products, but follow. The working group for end-
things are. 14 schemes is not a high number. of-life tyres, Tyrewise, has the
It also isn’t particularly impressive backing of the industry, but on the
considering the Waste Minimisation condition that tyres be declared
Act 2008 — which has stewardship a priority product. One reason for
at its heart — has been around for this is that they want to avoid free
10 years. riders; the second being the industry
recognises that some product
Priority product regulation tools will be needed to
The Act is a big part of getting support local councils.
from here to where we need
to be. It’s a powerful tool, The face of
which hasn’t been fully stewardship
utilised by previous Another important part of the
governments. puzzle is, of course, what a product
But as Bob Dylan stewardship scheme, be it voluntary
said, “the times they or mandatory, looks like. The waste
are a changin’” and hierarchy of avoidance, reduction,
the new government reuse, repair and only then recycle
is seemingly far more is the guiding standard that all
motivated than their stewardship schemes should look to.
predecessors were Properly implemented
to make use of the product stewardship goes back
Act. And this is where to the design phase in order to
mandatory product increase lifespan, reusability and
stewardship (which the repairability. In a circular economy
Act has the ability to future (underpinned by product
create) comes in. stewardship), our whole way of
Mandatory thinking about product ownership
stewardship is the more will shift, with a greater emphasis
effective route, as it puts on paying for services rather than
everyone on a level playing owning the products that provide
field and prevents non- them.
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 13Philips’ Light as a Service is a the future is to simply enable more the waste hierarchy at their core.
much drawn-on example of this recycling. This can so easily happen, They will also have sparked a myriad
new way of doing business. The as recycling is the path of least of new business opportunities.
model sees customers pay Philips resistance because manufacturers Mention the term product
for the light they use, while Philips don’t need to change their products stewardship to someone in 2050,
maintains ownership of the lighting much — if at all. or even in 2030, and they will know
fixtures. There are of course exceptions. exactly what you are talking about.
This means the company has Glass, being infinitely recyclable,
taken complete responsibility for is one example. The best way of
their products, from production dealing with the tens of thousands
through to end-of-life treatment. of tonnes of glass bottles and
As a result, Philips develops more jars being used every year in New
durable and repairable fixtures and Zealand is to recycle them into new
is more motivated to maximise the bottles and jars.
resources that go into them: the Another example is PET (Type 1)
circular economy in action. plastic. It too can be recycled again
and again as RPET. This is where Adele Rose is the chief executive of 3R
A place for recycling product stewardship can support
Group Ltd, a for-purpose business. She
Recycling has long been seen by has more than 12 years’ management
the development of onshore experience and nine years directly related
the public as the environmentally to the development of waste solutions
processing capacity for materials.
and sustainably responsible thing for environmental and economic benefit
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choice. agricultural chemicals and containers, and
schemes will not only divert
paint and packaging, as well as projects
What we don’t want from our waste from landfill and recapture looking at solutions for end-of-life tyres
product stewardship schemes of resources, but genuinely do so with and, more recently, lubricant containers.
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121 Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand
ENVIRONMENTAL P.O. Box 58-609, Botany, AucklandTHE FUTURE
o-F FARM
INORGANIC
WASTE
STEWARDSHIP
Given agriculture and
horticulture will need
to use plastic and other
inorganic waste for
the foreseeable future,
Agrecovery general
manager Simon
Andrew says the issue
needs to be addressed
and sets out a way
forward.
18Current options
Currently, farmers and growers can
P
use the Agrecovery and Plasback
ROVIDING QUALITY
programmes to address inorganic Barriers to recycling
food for a growing global
population requires the
waste issues alongside countless initiatives
community initiatives. Not having all brands on board
use of plastic for storing
For the past 12 years, Agrecovery creates a headache for users of
animal feed, animal medicines, crop
has provided a product stewardship recycling programmes, who need to
protection products and oil to keep
scheme for the crop protection, identify which products participate
machinery running. Without the
vet medicine and dairy hygiene in the scheme — and offer free
prudent use of plastics, producing
industries through a voluntary levy recycling — and which ones don’t.
safe and sustainable food could be
paid by more than 60 companies Without product stewardship
severely compromised.
and supported by a growing arrangements, farmers and growers
Given the continuing significance
collection network — now with over have to pay high costs for collection
of agriculture and horticulture in
80 sites and dozens of events. and disposal, exacerbated by their
New Zealand, quantities of plastics
With steady volumes being distance from facilities.
are — and will continue to be —
collected since its inception, in the A woeful lack of enforcing
utilised for the foreseeable future.
past year volumes have skyrocketed burning bans as well as a complete
Traditionally, Kiwi farmers and
as farmers and growers get on the absence of them in some areas
growers had few options to get rid
recycling bandwagon. Last year’s gives some the go-ahead to keep
of their inorganic waste, with much
growth was 40 per cent up from the burning their waste, rather than use
of it left in the paddock, in the shed,
year before. Plasback has also seen a recycling scheme.
buried on-property or, worse, being
a large increase in demand with The responsibility for sorting
burnt.
over 2,100 tonnes of plastics to be and disposing of a range of farm
Fortunately, alongside this is
collected this year. waste — silage wrap, fertiliser bags,
increasing awareness of the risks
A recently completed waste agrichemical containers, used oil,
these disposal methods pose and
minimisation project highlights batteries, plus any other general
a desire for more sustainable ones,
the amplified level of motivation rubbish — creates another job for a
especially in the past decade. There
to engage in initiatives that divert busy rural property. Understandably,
is a move away from doing things
waste from harmful disposal farmers and growers prefer to
the way they’ve always been done —
practices. Farmers and growers manage all their waste at once,
a transition from linear to circular
cite their desire to protect the without having to go through
economies. Farmers and growers
environment for future generations several providers for each type of
share a desire to reduce and reuse —
and create a positive legacy for their waste.
it is part of the Number 8 wire DNA
farm, industry and country. With the exception of the
of a Kiwi farmer or grower.
Despite this, the Rural Waste horticulture industry, incentives for
This has been spurred on by an
Minimisation Project identifies that farmers and growers to participate
increasingly discerning consumer
more than 80 per cent of farmers in recycling schemes are lacking.
market which expects to see past
and growers still admit to open Through the Global GAP (Good
the farm gate and understand the
burning of inorganic waste and that Agricultural Practice) scheme, the
story behind the product they are
the majority of farms still use on- horticulture sector is leading the
purchasing. Much of this expectation
farm dumps. way, as growers are required to show
involves sustainable practices due to
The blame can’t be placed solely evidence of recycling. Adopting a
an enhanced public consciousness
at the farmer’s door. There are a similar approach could aid the wider
of the appropriate use of plastics in
number of reasons for this. One is the industry.
industry and everyday life.
confusion over which products and
brands can be recycled for free and
the costs involved if they are not.
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 19Making it easier
The future of rural waste
management needs to be farmer-
and grower-centric. New Zealand
needs to enhance existing schemes
Having support from local
by making them more accessible
councils to enforce burning
and easy to use. This means adding
bans, support collection events
more collection sites, hosting more
and provide drop-off facilities
events, making on-farm collection
will be critical for an effective
more available and addressing
integrated approach. So too will be
persistent free-rider issues of non-
infrastructure that supports getting Signs of success
participating brands. The service
waste from isolated rural properties The recent pop-up collection and
needs to be efficient, effective
to recycling facilities. This could on-farm collection events trialled
and able to cope with increasing
include developing further size- in Matamata and Geraldine have
volumes.
reduction technology. proven that an integrated approach
Enhancing the ecosystem of
Like the wider New Zealand can work, with over 18 tonnes of
rural recycling requires investment.
economy, identifying end-markets inorganic waste being disposed of
The most logical approach to
for waste so it can be repurposed through just two trial events. By
facilitate this is through product
into something useful is critical for working together, councils, central
stewardship, as Agrecovery and
an integrated and circular economic government and existing schemes
Plasback demonstrate. However, in
approach. Ideally, these markets such as Agrecovery and Plasback
a voluntary regulatory environment,
would be domestic, but there is still can drive far greater environmental
free-riders will continue to put
a viable overseas market for post- outcomes for farmers.
a spoke in the wheel of effective
consumer-resin. The next step is to continue
recycling systems. Additional
these trials and attract investment
investment in recycling requires all
manufacturers to take part, and
INDUSTRY ALSO to refine further and roll-out.
mandatory stewardship will quickly
NEEDS TO SUPPORT Agrecovery is ideally placed to lead
support this. RECYCLING this given its industry ownership
A one-stop-shop service to THROUGH and ability to facilitate product
stewardship outcomes.
farmers and growers is clearly ACCREDITATION
the way forward for disposing of PROGRAMMES AND
waste. This involves an integrated
ASSESS PRODUCTS
approach, offering multiple
service options, including on-farm
PRIOR TO THEM
collection, fixed sites and collection
BECOMING A WASTE
events. On-farm collection is a ISSUE.
premium option, and this is reflected
in the cost of providing it. For a more
cost-effective, but less convenient
Simon Andrew is general manager of
option, fixed and event-based Agrecovery, New Zealand’s solution
options can be more favourable. for the safe disposal of unwanted
agrichemicals, and the recycling of
empty containers, drums and IBCs.
2055000
LINERS COLLECTED
FROM FARMS
11000 TONNES OF
3000
PLASTIC COLLECTED
SHEETS OF RECYCLED
PLASTIC TUFFBOARD
PRODUCED 2100
TONNES OF
PLASTIC COLLECTED
15
2017/18
COLLECTORS
13
YEARS IN
6
OPERATION
BALERS 1
NATIONWIDE
SCHEME
Plasback is an
accredited Product
Stewardship Scheme
and New Zealand’s only
nationwide on farm
collector of agricultural 03 338 2400
plastic wastes plasback.co.nzLOOKING BACK
NEW ZEALAND’S
A
NYONE WHO IS familiar
with Devonport today
FIRST KERBSIDE
needs to recalibrate
their head to understand
RECYCLING
the first recycling scheme in New
Zealand, launched in May 1977.
SERVICE
Forget the pretty, renovated villas
and some of the most eye-watering
real estate values in the country and
think about a community oriented
to naval officers and matelots with
As we celebrate 30 years of their support machine at the naval
base. Then add a smaller contingent
WasteMINZ, it’s important to reflect of army personnel at Fort Cautley
on key milestones that predate the in Narrow Neck, with interservice
organisation. One such milestone rivalry emerging regularly in the
was the establishment of New local watering holes.
In the university summer
Zealand’s first kerbside recycling vacation at the end of 1972, I started
service in Devonport more than 40 my long association with local
years ago. Richard Tong was part of government by labouring for the
Devonport Borough Council (in those
making it happen and recounts how days, Auckland had 26 separate
it came about. councils and a regional authority)
and developing a fascination with
waste on the rubbish truck and at
the local tip.The first official bags were black
plastic 60-litre bags, and for a few
years council staff hand-delivered
packs of 52 to each household with
Rubbish collections
their rates demand. That was of
I still have my Kiwi-made squat,
course doomed to fail.
galvanised-iron rubbish bin that was People could buy as many, or
People moving to a new house
the standard requirement for street as few, bags as they wanted from
would use their remaining bags
collections half a century ago. All the local supermarket and place as
for the move or take them with
you had to do in Devonport was take many, or as few, bags on the roadside
them. Large villas broken into
your bin to the kerb and council staff as they wished.
multiple flats had fights over the
emptied it and left the empty bin,
undersupply of bags, and older
without the lid, one or two houses Enter recycling
folk who had no need of a weekly
down the street. In mid-1976 I had my Bachelor of
bag, because of their frugal habits,
These solid metal bins and Science behind me and was writing
multiple compost heaps and super-
the collection service were direct up my master’s thesis, when I
productive veggie gardens, thought
replicas of the British model. Only noticed in the local newspaper
it was all a waste of money.
they made much more sense in the that a delegation from some
And, yes, there was even an anti-
original setting where ash from coal environmental NGOs had suggested
plastic movement back then, mainly
fires was a significant component of to the Devonport Borough Council
based on the stupidity of wasting
household waste. that they should look at recycling.
foreign reserves to buy a fossil fuel-
Even way back then the set-up I wrote to the council with a
derived bag when a locally grown
with council staff collecting bin few ideas and offered my services.
tree-based bag could do the job just
loads of waste was crying out for I pointed out that I had a practical
as well.
change. The first stage in Devonport, appreciation of what was involved
By the late 1970s, Devonport had
in the early 1970s, was the move to from my experience working for
moved to a true user-pays waste
rubbish bag collections, coinciding them, and I was added to the sub-
collection model, where the cost of
with the introduction of the ‘official’ committee exploring recycling.
the bag was calculated by a simple
bag and the move from collections
formula, which included the cost
by council staff to collections by a
of the bag, the cost of collecting it,
private sector trucking firm.
the cost of disposing of it, the cost
of administering the collection
contract and a retailer’s mark-up.
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 23Nuts and bolts The barrier was to be movable to
The council’s refuse contractor at accommodate the relative bulk of
the time was Alexander Freights. I different materials: lots of bottles
met with the directors and explained and not so many cans.
how the sub-committee wanted to The business trade-off for the
develop the recycling collections. extra work involved was that we
They were receptive and keen to stay would use Alexander Freights to
onside with the council. provide the bins and haulage for
We agreed that separating the bulk recyclables, including the
the total waste into some of its bulky items such as scrap steel
component parts for separate going to South Auckland. They got
collection was not going to change extra work, and we had a willing and
the total volume of material to be known contractor.
collected substantially but was The council’s side of the bargain
going to add some inconvenience to was to provide all the necessary
them as operators. promotion so that the public
We were going to ask them would have a clear idea of their
to place a movable barrier in the responsibilities. The highlight of
tray of their open-topped truck so this was the six-monthly recycling
Devonport’s 1977 recycling calendar
that at each collection a specified calendar delivered to every
shows which materials to put out for
kerbside recycling on which week. recyclable material could be placed household, which specified the
in the portion nearest the tailgate, recyclable material to be placed for
enabling this material to be dropped collection in each week in a four-
off at the recycling depot at the weekly cycle. The calendars were a
entrance to the tip before the hit from day one!
rest was dumped at the tip face.
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visit scarlett.co.nz | call us today 03 688 2900The council also had to provide In those days, whole bottles
the recycling depot, where the were fetching premium prices to
contractor could drop off the be washed and refilled. We had
collected materials. I can still problems at various stages with
remember marking this out with suitable markets for plastics and
separate bays for everything from tin cans, and in both cases had huge
scrap steel to used oil and firewood. stockpiles of each to show visiting
Two days after opening, you could not dignitaries and the news media —
see half of them because they were which will be very familiar to waste
buried under a mountain of roofing managers today.
iron, car parts and old appliances. By always aiming for the best
It was back to the drawing board to quality and unmixed recyclables we
Richard Tong coordinated the Devonport
provide for larger spaces. were able to meet some very specific recycling scheme from 1976–1980 and was
The council also provided the material requests. In short, we were then appointed deputy manager to the
Devonport Borough Council from 1980–84.
two other legs of the recycling delivering top quality materials
He then established his own environmental
scheme: the promotion of home to local markets to be reused or consultancy, Tong & Associates, and led
composting and the development recycled locally. the teams that developed the recycling
strategy for the Auckland region in 1988
of composting for green waste from I firmly believe, even 41 years on, and the recycling and waste minimisation
large sections. that our core ethos of providing the implementation plan for Auckland Regional
Council in 1989, as well as other waste
highest quality recyclables paired
Focus on end markets with a flexible service that can adjust
minimisation developments around
New Zealand and overseas.
We opted for the separate collection to changes in the marketplace
of specified recyclables in a four- remains central to real, successful
weekly cycle because that was the and sustainable recycling.
best way to provide the high-quality
material that the market wanted
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LEADERS IN STAFFING TOWARDS SUCCESS
ACCOUNTANTS CREDIT CONTROLLERS HAMMERHANDS PICKERS
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CUSTOMER SERVICES INVENTORY PLUMBERS
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DEVANNERS CONTROLLERS PRODUCTION WORKERS
ADMINISTRATORS ELECTRICIANS LABOURERS QUALITY CONTROLLERS
ASSEMBLERS ENGINEERS MACHINE OPERATORS REACH DRIVERS
BUILDERS FABRICATORS MACHINISTS RECEPTIONISTS
BUTCHERS FORKLIFT OPERATORS MACHINE SETTERS STORESPERSON
CALL CENTRE FREIGHT MOTOR MECHANICS TRUCK DRIVERS
CARPENTERS GASFITTERS PACKERS VAN DRIVERS
staffing towards success
adstaff.co.nz staffing towards successRemoving consents (where there
UPDATE ON THE NESCS are more efficient alternatives) was
supported for:
AND HAIL AMENDMENTS • activities on soils below the
NESCS soil-contaminant
standards
• soil disturbance by network
utility operators
In June, Ministry for the The proposed amendments:
• paper-based subdivisions (such
Environment senior • require a more risk-based as moving from cross-lease to
analyst Bruce Croucher approach to decide whether the freehold title)
NESCS applies • soil disposal.
updated in a webinar the
• remove resource consent
status of amendments Status of the
requirements for low-risk
to the National activities NESCS and HAIL
Environmental Standard • increase certainty of the amendments
for Assessing and consenting process and target Recommendations were taken to
Managing Contaminants controls more closely to effects the Minister for the Environment
• provide risk-appropriate site- and Cabinet who granted approval
in Soil to Protect Human
specific management options. to Parliamentary Counsel Office to
Health (NESCS) and
draft amendments to the NESCS.
This consultation was undertaken
Hazardous Activities and These were workshopped with MfE’s
in September and October 2016,
Industries List (HAIL). working group, who considered
with 91 submissions received from
WasteMINZ’s CEO Paul territorial authorities, regional
there was significant work required
Evans summarises the councils, practitioners and industry
before the regulations would be
clearer and simpler to implement.
key points. groups. The summary of submissions
MfE’s post-election priorities
is expected to be released soon.
NESCS interim review (climate change, freshwater quality,
The interim review of the NESCS Key findings urban development and the
focused on how the HAIL framework Submitters were generally circular economy) and emerging
is working, how the NESCS is being supportive of changes to the contaminants (such as per- and
applied and whether sites subject HAIL, particularly clarification of poly-fluoroalkyl substances), have
to the NESCS are being remediated moved the Ministry’s emphasis away
categories. They considered sites
or contaminants managed on-site from the amendments. Its focus is
were being identified that didn’t
on publishing guidance work that is
appropriately, and what factors are need to be, such as sports turfs,
underway, which includes the new
driving the approach used. where many are caught, not just
HAIL guidance, which should go out
The review highlighted: intensively managed ones as
in the next few months.
intended.
• concerns about inconsistency MfE is also continuing to work on
There was split support for
around the country Contaminated Land Management
risk-based assessment, with
• resource consents being required Guideline 1 (Reporting on
slightly more in favour. Concerns
for sites for which the risks could contaminated sites in New Zealand)
were around who should make
be managed better in other ways and Guideline 5 (Site investigation
that assessment, with a view
• landowners considering the cost and analysis of soils), with release of
that this should be done by a
of complying and the associated the revised guidelines planned for
suitably qualified and experienced
delays as substantial. this financial year.
practitioner (SQEP). Those against
Following the review, MfE worked on You can view the webinar at
felt it would introduce more
proposed amendments and tested bit.ly/NESCSWebinar. If you have
uncertainty and cost into the
them with a working group. questions, contact Bruce Croucher
consenting process. on bruce.croucher@mfe.govt.nz.
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 27THE WORLD IS
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28 www.komptech.comWASTEMINZ
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
TO AGENT OF CHANGE
Founding and life member of WasteMINZ Tony Kortegast surveys
the history of WasteMINZ over the past 30 years, including its role
in changing waste management practices in Aotearoa.
T
HIRTY YEARS ON from challenge. They are all different, Zealand — now known as WasteMINZ
WasteMINZ’s formation, it is but it’s a common theme that they — was born.
pleasing to reflect on what all led somewhere in terms of our The formative Institute was
has happened since the history as a nation. first led by Jonathan Fletcher from
humble beginnings of the Institute the Ministry of Health, supported
in the late 1980s.
Waking up to waste by his colleague Lew Thorstensen,
Back in early 1988 I was a
management Stu Clark from the then Ministry of
Interesting times indeed, and this Works, myself and industry players
somewhat younger consultant
all started to precipitate wider such as Gavin Bush and Alton
with a geotechnical background,
and more tangible environmental Jamieson. Industry kicked in some
and I was taking an increasing
change in New Zealand. In a sense, seed funding, and the organisation
interest in the waste sector and the
we suddenly woke up and decided to was off and running.
opportunities it presented. This was
smell the roses, in line with changing
amidst some very interesting and
turbulent times in New Zealand
environmental and social attitudes Conferences and
society, with the aftermath of the
emanating from abroad. technical input key
Around this time, some key In 1989 an inaugurating conference
October 1987 share market crash,
figures in the Department of Health was held in Wellington at what is
the key issue for the economy.
were concerned about the need for now the Grand Mercure Hotel. We
This event, which I know will
improved solid waste management. invited newly elected Prime Minister
predate many of our readers, is
Others in government, local Sir Geoffrey Palmer to deliver
not to be overlooked in terms of
authorities and the private sector the opening address, which he
the history lesson. The crash really
were also concerned that the waste graciously did.
put pressure on the private sector
sector in New Zealand lacked a The first conference led to the
and devastated many businesses,
voice and policy-making impetus. development of the Institute’s
large and small. Coupled with the
At the time, waste management formal structure and constitution.
new Lange Labour government,
was very much a local authority It was recognised at the time
Rogernomics and public sector
responsibility, with the emphasis on that for the association to have
reform, the private sector was
providing for its disposal, generally an effective voice it needed to get
hungry for opportunity back in
at least cost. industry stakeholders together
1988.
Following some formative and up the ante on technical
There were other noteworthy
discussions in Wellington in 1987–88, development affecting waste
events happening in New Zealand,
at an historic meeting I attended at management practices throughout
such as te reo Māori becoming an
the Station Hotel in Anzac Avenue, the country. A key way in which
official language, the Bastion Point
Auckland, in 1988 an inaugural this was achieved was to continue
protests, Cyclone Bola, AJ Hackett
waste group broke away from what holding regular conferences, and
bungying off the Eiffel Tower and
was then the New Zealand Water the annual conference soon became
Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes
and Wastes Association, and the the go-to event for the sector.
beating KZ7 in the Americas’ Cup
Waste Management Institute New
AUGUST 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 29You can also read
