Waste goes under the scope

Reconsidering how waste is disposed of in the Western Bay is in its next phase of development - including potential future waste facilities.

Council began reviewing its Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) in 2016 and adopted the vision of minimising the amount of waste to landfill jointly with Tauranga City Council.

The review is looking at a change to Council's role in managing the District's waste, including the investigation of a Council-procured waste management contract and overseeing kerbside collection of rubbish and recycling for all residents.

To date Council has been consulting with our different communities about what the future of waste management should look like in the Western Bay.

One of the key actions from this feedback, which is now open for consultation, is whether the community supports Council investigating the provision of a Council-led kerbside rubbish and recycling service.

Council's current involvement in waste services extends to the provision of education; community recycling and green waste facilities; public refuse bin collections (e.g. at Parks and Reserves); fly-tipping clean-up and abandoned vehicle collection.

Tauranga and the Western Bay sent close to 90,000 tonnes of waste to landfill in 2014/15. This waste includes a significant quantity of material that, if separated, could be recycled and put to beneficial use.

The decision to recycle and compost is made at an individual household level. For example, about 72% of kerbside rubbish collected from households could be recycled or composted instead of being sent to landfill.

This review is a timely opportunity for Council to investigate options for reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and to take a more active role in protecting the District's environment in an efficient way.

The draft WMMP will go out for consultation from 22 September to 23 October 2017. Have Your Say days are planned for the week of 30 October, for those who wish to participate.

For more information visit haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz.