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Towards zero waste

The initiatives announced in February 2007 build on existing solid waste management and minimisation work. This includes:

Establishing a network of public recycling facilities

Establishing a network of recycling facilities in public areas. Working in partnership with local government, these facilities will be placed in larger cities and tourist destinations. This programme will also assist with providing recycling facilities at major public events to encourage people to recycle while out and about, as well as at home. During the first year, three sites will be piloted to iron out any issues before expanding the programme nationally in high population areas.

The Ministry for the Environment is leading the programme, which has a budget of $4.6 million over three years (Budget 2007).

Securing dedicated funding for solid waste minimisation and management

The Government is committed to securing dedicated funding for further waste minimisation and management, including the improvement of national infrastructure as it would like waste reprocessing to occur onshore in the future.

These proposals are likely to require legislative changes. The Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill, currently before the Select Committee, is one way of making these changes.

For more information about the work the Ministry is doing on waste, see our waste webpages.

Regulation to allow for mandatory product stewardship

The Government is committed to product stewardship schemes as a way of minimising and managing waste, especially for products that cause particular environmental harm or pose disposal problems, such as electronic waste.

The Government proposes providing an accreditation scheme to recognise businesses and industry sectors that establish successful product stewardship schemes and introducing regulations to support product stewardship schemes. The Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill, currently before the Select Committee, is one way of making these changes.

For more information about the work the Ministry is doing on waste, see our waste webpages.