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Had any rubbish ideas lately?
Waste is a symptom that we’re using our resources inefficiently. Once waste is created it’s very difficult to get rid of and, if disposed of incorrectly, waste can pollute our land, water and air.
In recent years the focus on managing the environmental impacts of landfills has increased, which has included increasing the range of items recovered from the waste stream to be reused, recycled or reprocessed.
The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (enacted on 25 September 2008), has been introduced to encourage waste minimisation and a decrease in waste disposal in New Zealand. The Act provides a legislative framework of tools and responsibilities for managing and minimising solid waste and will be implemented throughout 2009 by the Ministry for the Environment.
From March to May 2009, we will be undertaking public consultation on the Waste Minimisation in New Zealand discussion paper, released on 18 March 2009. The discussion paper will seek feedback to identify:
- changes that should be made to targets in the New Zealand Waste Strategy
- product stewardship priorities for Government
- criteria to assess applications to the Waste Minimisation Fund for project funding
- information required to monitor the effectiveness of the waste levy and other waste minimisation activities
- administrative and other detail that affects the operation of the waste levy.
These issues not only have environmental impacts, but also social, cultural and economic ones. The outcome of this public consultation will affect New Zealand businesses, public organisations and households.
To help those interested in writing submissions, the Ministry for the Environment is holding public meetings around New Zealand from late March to early April 2009. The meetings will be an opportunity for Ministry officials to outline the background to the paper and provide clarification if required. The dates and venues of the planned meetings are outlined on the Ministry’s website. Written submissions will be accepted until 5.00 pm Friday 15 May 2009.
We have published a series of seven information sheets on the Waste Minimisation Act on our website.
The information sheets, tailored to different audiences, provide an overview of responsibilities under the Act, with quick hyperlink references to the legislation and other useful information.
For more information or to register your interest in attending a meeting please email: waste@mfe.govt.nz
Raglan community recycling programme Xtreme Waste works with the Whaingaroa Community to reduce waste.
The Waste Minimisation Act encourages waste minimisation and decreasing waste disposal.
