Recycling plans in place
CHB ratepayers are being assured that their recycling is not being sent to landfill, as the CHB District council develops a Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (SWMMP)
After China stopped accepting recyclable items like plastic from a number of countries as of January, the bottom of the recycling market has reportedly dropped out in places like Australia, with some councils there reportedly scrapping costly recycling services because the waste is instead being stockpiled or sent to landfill.
In CHB in 2016/17, of the total of 8961 tonnes of waste collected, recycling accounted for 11 per cent (1006 tonnes). To pay for kerbside recycling services, CHB ratepayers pay a targeted rate of $69.05 a year which is expected to increase slightly to $69.14 in the 2018/19 financial year.
CHB district council chief executive Monique Davidson assured locals their recycling was, in fact, being recycled.
“We are aware of a perception amongst some ratepayers that recycled materials are sent to landfill either here or at other locations. We are eager to change this perception . . . through our SWMMP to educate and improve awareness,” she said.
Davidson said paper and cardboard from CHB was sent to Hawke Packaging in Whakatu in Napier, where it was turned into apple cartons. Glass was sent to Auckland for turning back into bottles, aluminium and tin/steel cans were on-sold and processed in New Zealand, while plastic was still being sent to Asia, she said.
“The market is competitive and product is sent to where the price is best. China is no longer purchasing but the market in Malaysia and Indonesia is strong.”
Consultation on the SWMMP closes this Thursday, and anyone can make a submission on the council's Statement of Proposal.
“It is important that the community has an opportunity to share their views as this process will help to shape the district's future approach to minimising waste,” said Josh Lloyd, GRoup manager community infrastructure and development.
Copies of the plan, the statement of proposal, and how to make your submission are available on the council's website. Public consultation will close at 5pm this Thursday. A public hearing on submissions will be held on June 28.