Having a plan for waste. It’s not a waste of time

Construction and demolition waste, mobile phones and whiteware could get a second chance at life, with an upcycled approach to how we manage waste across the Western Bay.

Now is your chance to share your views on whether the proposed plan to take our management of waste to the next level is on the right track, with Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP).

Reviewed every six years, the plan is our commitment to continue to improve the way our waste is managed and to achieve the vision of minimising waste that goes to landfill.

Our draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan includes:

• Six key themes including education, infrastructure, collaboration and leadership, monitoring and reporting, regulations and services.
• Some clear objectives and an action plan for the next six years, along with targets to measure progress and a plan for funding.
• A proposal to establish an annual contestable fund to provide community grants for local waste minimisation initiatives.

“We’ve achieved so much in the last six years and a lot has changed in our environment at the same time – and so we’re committed to moving with the times, the community and its needs,” explains Council’s Policy Analyst, Charlotte McGirr.

“Now’s the time to build on success such as our kerbside service, mobile recycling trailers and waste education, and make it easier for our community to do even more.

“We want to explore providing you with even better services like looking at what waste infrastructure we need, what additional services will best help our communities deal with waste they’ve told is us an issue, setting up community grants for local waste minimisation initiatives and so much more. Do these sound like good ideas to you?"

Council has got lots of great community feedback about waste already through the Your Place Tō wāhi consultation process, held earlier this year. People shared their views particularly about the challenges to dispose of greenwaste, e-waste, soft plastics and large inorganic items. The issues raised have been incorporated into the draft Plan, with a commitment to investigate and implement alternative options.

“You’ve told us that there’s a pressing need for more waste infrastructure within the Western Bay of Plenty, not just for residential waste but for construction and demolition waste – and we’re planning for that too,” says Charlotte.

Charlotte adds that it’s not a waste of time for all of us to dump our old ideas about waste and start to make some small changes.

“That might be taking a couple of extra minutes to sort out your food scraps, or dispose of your summer holiday bottles. And, it’s definitely not a waste of time to share your feedback on this plan, as that’ll make sure we can put actions in place that will benefit you, the community and future generations,” she says.

Our draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is aligned with the New Zealand Waste Strategy - Te rautaki papa, which sets the national direction for how we make, use, manage and dispose of things.

“We’ve made some great progress over the last six years, and there’s a way to go. Long term we will work towards becoming a zero waste, circular economy where materials are kept in use, but we recognise there are multiple steps to get there,” says Charlotte.

How to join the kōrero

Western Bay’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is now available for you to read and give feedback via the following options:

• Online, wānanga ipurangi – head to the Have your Say web page to check out the draft Plan.
  
• Hard copy, pepa mārō – printed feedback forms are available at all council library and service centres, and recycling centres.
• Face to face, kanohi ki te kanohi – speak to your feedback with your Elected Members: haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz to register your interest

Feedback closes 5pm Sunday 10 December.