Kerbside Recycling: Coming Soon

Regarding recycling, I came across this in my files and while it was a contentious issue to campaign on in 2007  I still believe it is the best way to collect waste with value across the city. 

Care of the Environment

…an unspoilt environment will be our legacy …

I support the consideration of kerbside recycling to make recycling easy and to meet the needs of residents who are unable to get to the recycling centre in town. 

Karen Hunt (candidate statement 2007)

I am really pleased that we are now providing for our residents what many other NZ’s take for granted, a kerbside collection for recycling. Rubbish collection at the gate is a long held tradition for convenience and safety. Parts of the waste stream have additional value therefore it is a natural extension to establish a seperate collection for recyclables at the gate. 

We have indeed taken our time to get here. Sometimes a good idea can languish for lack of support, lack of money or lack of political will, and sometimes all three. There is still more value to be had from our ‘rubbish’ with green waste and food waste, however lets just start with plastics, glass, tin and paper.

While we have had to wait many years for kerbside wheelie bins it is now financially prudent to make the move to contracting out the waste collection service. We are one of the few remaining councils using bags and with the introduction of the new health and safety regulations it was inevitable that we would move to a wheelie bin collection and with that the opportunity for kerbside recycling. 

Being late adopters means there is a silver lining, we have seen what works and what doesn’t and working with our rural and lakeside communities we have recognised a different approach is required.  Any major change often has a few teething problems however I am positive that neighbours will help each other and communities generally will benefit from this improved waste collection service.

A lot of people have been waiting for it to start and want it to be a success. I’m looking forward to the roll out of the bins and the start of collections at the end of October.