Future of Western Bay waste to be explored by Council
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Different ways of getting rid of waste will be explored by Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Council adopted its Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) 2017 last week, which puts future waste management service provision into the draft Long Term Plan programme for 2018/2028.
Council began reviewing the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan earlier this year to determine Council's role in managing the District's waste - with the overall aim of reducing waste going to landfill.
Public feedback showed support for an investigation into Council-led kerbside recycling and rubbish collection, but there was concern about the potential impact on rates.
In response, Council will undertake an investigation of an alternative recycling and rubbish collection model to achieve better oversight and management of solid waste and recycling throughout the District.
This will be done in 2018/19 and will cover a range of service delivery options for kerbside rubbish and recycling services and the cost implications of each option. The community will be consulted on the approach Council should take.
Council has agreed in principle to establish a recycling centre in Omokoroa, subject to agreeing with the community how the operational costs will be funded.
This will be part of the investigations, as demand for a recycling facility is likely to be impacted by any decision on whether to implement kerbside recycling.
The new Plan includes continuing community education programmes to encourage better waste disposal practices. These include worm composting workshops, a business waste minimisation program, zero waste education in schools, waste-free living workshops and introducing recycling on marae.
Council's current involvement in waste services extends to the provision of community recycling and green waste facilities; public refuse bin collections (e.g. at parks and reserves); fly-tipping clean-up and abandoned vehicle collection.
