Waste

re:source newsletter

Subscribe to re:source. Our new regular bulletin can keep you up-to-date with the implementation of the Waste Minimisation Act and aware of any developments in sustainable business and waste minimisation.

Consultation Waste Minimisation Act implementation – March-May 2009

The Ministry for the Environment has released the Waste Minimisation in New Zealand discussion paper for public consultation.
Submissions on the paper will be accepted until 5pm on Friday 15 May 2009.
For more information on the paper, consultation workshops and how to submit your feedback, visit our consultation web page

The Ministry for the Environment works on a range of waste issues, either explicitly under the framework set by the New Zealand Waste Strategy or through other work programmes. You can find information on our work programmes throughout this website.

There are several Acts that provide a legislative basis for the work the Ministry undertakes:

Ministry waste work programmes

Implementing the new Waste Minimisation Act 2008
Recycling in Public Places Initiative - Working with local government to establish a network of recycling bins in public places
National waste targets - What we want to achieve, and by when
Progress against targets – How we progress with waste minimisation
Waste data in New Zealand - How we measure waste
Waste Campaign Pilot - A trial of public education initiatives
Waste management planning - Resources for waste managers
Hazardous wastes - What they are and what happens to them
Construction and demolition waste - Targets for the building industry
Special wastes - Wastes being specifically targeted by the Ministry, eg batteries, used oil, end-of-life tyres, agrichemicals and e-waste
Organic waste - A significant proportion of the organic waste stream is green waste
New Zealand Packaging Accord – A product stewardship scheme to manage packaging waste
Wastewater - Trade waste and sewage water
Dairying and Clean Streams Accord – An industry accord to reduce dairy waste in water ways
Landfills - Management guidelines and reviews

Why waste minimisation is important

Waste represents an inefficient use of our limited resources, and the ability to use resources efficiently is a central tenet of New Zealand’s sustainable future.

We need to reduce our waste and better manage what waste we do produce. We need to redesign, reduce, reuse and recycle our resources.

Reducing and managing waste is everybody’s responsibility. Those who can and must play a part in moving towards zero waste and a sustainable New Zealand include waste generators, central and local government, the waste industry and its professional bodies, community and voluntary groups, businesses and individuals.

Significant progress has been made on managing and reducing waste in New Zealand but there is still more to be done. There are, and always will be, challenges in better managing waste in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Waste Strategy sets out the direction for waste minimisation in New Zealand.

Links to other Ministry resources

Love NZ - Recycle with care – Information about where you can find the LoveNZ recycling bins
re:source newsletter – Waste Minimisation updates
SIGnals newsletter - Sustainable Industry e-newsletter
Simply Sustainable - Sustainability toolkit for business
Reduce Your Rubbish website - Household and business resource
Contaminated land issues - Information and guidelines
Organochlorines Programme - Information and NZ initiatives
Product Stewardship – A tool to help address waste.
Green Ribbon Awards – Recognising those who sustain, protect and enhance our environment. Winners include organisers of waste-related initiatives
New Zealand and international waste links - Useful web resources

Last updated: 22 May 2009