Households to have their say on waste management options - 11/08/2010

Wanganui District Council is giving residents the opportunity to have their say on how the district manages household waste.

A Household Waste Survey is being delivered to all urban households in Wanganui this week. The survey gives a choice of five options for the potential future management of household waste, and is accompanied by a booklet, outlining the options in more detail.

Council currently has little involvement in waste collection services other than providing the recycling centre at Peat Street.

The Waste Minimisation Act was introduced in 2008 to encourage a reduction in the amount of waste generated and to lessen the environmental harm caused by the dumping of waste. As part of the council’s own Waste Minimisation Strategy developed in 2009 a target was set to reduce the amount of waste put in the Bonnie Glen landfill by 60% by 2015.

It is estimated that approximately 40% of refuse currently disposed of at the kerbside could be recycled, which would have huge benefits for the environment.

The council’s Waste Minimisation Working Party, chaired by Cr Rob Vinsen, has developed the survey. The options range from continuing with the current situation to council providing a kerbside refuse and recycling option.

“How we manage waste is a key environmental issue facing everyone in Wanganui, which is why it’s important that we find out what people’s preferred option is” says Cr Vinsen.

“There is evidence that Wanganui residents pay dearly for waste collection services compared to other centres. The two key issues on which council is seeking answers from the public are should council re-enter the provision of kerbside refuse collection and should council introduce a kerbside recycling collection service. If you want to have your say, make sure you return your survey.”

Once a preferred option is selected, further investigations into the costs and processes will be undertaken. This will then be presented to council as part of the annual plan consultation process. It is unlikely that any new service will be adopted before July 2011.

ENDS