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The Waste Advisory Board

The Waste Advisory Board provides independent advice to the Environment Minister on issues relating to waste minimisation under the new Waste Minimisation Act.  Board members extensive experience in the waste area and come from business and community groups.

Profiles of current members of the Waste Advisory Board.


Functions of the Waste Advisory Board

As specified by section 90 of the Act, the purpose of the Waste Advisory Board is to provide the Minister for the Environment with advice, upon request. This advice may include:

  • products to be declared a “priority product” under the Act (for which an accredited product stewardship scheme will be required);
  • guidelines about the contents and expected effects of product stewardship schemes for priority products;
  • accrediting a product stewardship scheme not consistent with published guidelines;
  • regulations prohibiting the sale of a priority product except in accordance with an accredited scheme;
  • regulations in relation to products, materials, and waste;
  • criteria for approving funding of a project from waste disposal levy funds;
  • reviewing the effectiveness of the waste disposal levy;
  • regulations in relation to the imposition or rate of the waste disposal levy; and,
  • regulations in relation to records, information, and reports.

Waste Advisory Board Nominations

The Minister for the Environment recently sought nominations for the Waste Advisory Board. Up to three of the eight seats may be filled as three of the board members terms are due to end in February 2012. 

Nominations closed on 28 November 2011 and are currently under consideration.

Information on the nomination process

What must the Minister consider when appointing Waste Advisory Board Members?

In appointing Board members, the Minister must consider the need for the Board to have available from its members knowledge, skills, and experience relating to: the Waste Minimisation Act 2008; matters that are likely to come before the Board; local government; business/industry, including the commercial waste industry; community projects for waste minimisation; and tikanga Māori.

Will the Minister see all nominations?

Yes. They will be presented to the Minister for the Environment following the election, together with a suggested short-list and recommendations from the Ministry for the Environment.

Who makes the final decision?

The Minister for the Environment takes his recommendation to the Appointments and Honours Committee of Cabinet, and Cabinet makes the final decision.

When will this happen?

We anticipate that recommendations will go to the Minister in December 2011, and the Minister’s decision, the Cabinet decision, and the appointment process will take a few months longer.

How will we know who has been appointed?

The appointments will be notified in the New Zealand Gazette (www.gazette.govt.nz) and outlined on the Ministry’s website.

If you require further information please contact Nicola Sole in the Waste and Resources Team at the Ministry: phone (04) 439 7400 or email nominations@mfe.govt.nz.


 

The Waste Minimisation Act also provides for

  • the introduction of a $10 a tonne (plus GST) levy on all waste disposed of in landfills from July 1 2009
  • the introduction of a fund (using the revenue from the waste levy) to help local government, communities and businesses minimise waste. In addition, this will help reduce waste of all types going to landfill by encouraging people to consider alternatives to disposal
  • accreditation of product stewardships schemes. Examples of product stewardship could be businesses taking back unwanted products from their customers for reuse or recycling or manufacturers choosing environmentally friendly materials when making a product.
  • requirements for territorial authorities and operators of landfills and recycling facilities to report on waste
  • clarification of the role and responsibilities of territorial authorities in waste minimisation.

 

Last updated: 5 December 2011