eNewsletter #12
April 2010
Waste diversion and recycling
What are we sending to the landfill? According to Wellington City Council a lot of paper is being sent to the Southern Landfill that could be recycled. There’s a market for used paper and it’s easy and cost effective to recycle in New Zealand.
Diverting waste from the landfill means it doesn’t fill up as quickly and will have a longer life. Landfills are expensive to build and have considerable environmental effects, even after they are closed, so extending their life is a good thing. This is especially so when the landfill is close to town as future landfills are likely to be far from the source of the waste and travelling costs will increase disposal costs.
Another reason for diverting waste from the landfill is that some waste is a useful resource e.g. paper. Other waste that gets diverted is plastic, glass and cans. However, in late 2008 the global market for recyclables crashed so we must find more markets at home.
Companies that can use or on-sell a recyclable product can tender for kerbside collection work, or a local council may contract kerbside collection to a third party. The cost of kerbside collection of recyclables is usually covered by a local council levy on waste taken to landfills. In rural areas without kerbside collection recyclables can be taken to a recycling centre or land transfer station. Companies using or on-selling recyclables receive the product free of charge and look for profits in the local and global marketplace. Their costs are in the sorting and transport of the various products.
Currently, councils that own landfills are making a profit by charging for waste delivered. Some waste collectors take waste to the landfill with the lowest charges. Areas without landfills export their waste, Kapiti to Levin and Wairarapa to Martin and cover the cost of kerbside collection of recyclables out of rates.
Central Government taxes waste that goes to landfills. Half of this waste levy goes back to councils to spend on waste minimisation. The remainder goes into a national fund for waste minimisation activities around New Zealand. The Government also collects data on what we put in landfills.
Shopping bags
In 2004, then Environment Minister Marion Hobbs said that New Zealanders threw away 83 kg each of used packaging a year. Since then we’ve been recycling a higher percentage of our packaging but we’re also bringing more home.
If we want to achieve effective and economic use of natural resources, we should bring home less packaging. It’s back to the old mantra – reduce, reuse, recycle – and reduction is the most important action of all.
- Avoid those large carrier bags that are often offered with a purchase. Most of your shopping will fit in a small nylon or string bag that folds up small and can easily fit in your handbag or glovebox.
- Choose a washable bag and wash it regularly, especially if you are using the bag to carry food. Unwashed reusable bags may develop high levels of mould and bacteria
Check the number on that plastic. Plastics that are a 1 or 2 are the most easily recycled. If the product you are planning to buy has a higher number, see if you can buy the same product in different packaging.
Degradable plastic
Are there many other products that you just use and toss? That’s great if you toss them onto your compost heap. An old woollen jumper or a calico shopping bag will breakdown in no time. However, there are a number of plastic products that are described as degradable and which you may not have thought you could put in the compost. These products could take a while to break down in a home compost system but have been successfully composted in commercial scale plants. Avoid bags printed with blue or green inks which may contain copper.
Degradable plastics are designed to gradually break down into tiny pieces when they come into contact with sunlight or water. This means the product is less visible and there should be less risk that it will be eaten by large sea animals. However they may pose a risk to small animals such as sea turtle hatchlings. And if they are not fully exposed to sunlight or water they may only partially break down.
If you have tried composting degradable plastic we would be keen to hear about it. Email info@bethedifference.gw.govt.nz
Degradable plastic should not be recycled.
Biochar
Biochar is charcoal created from biological material, for example: crop waste, forest slash, sewage sludge, waste paper or used building timber. It is created with the goal of storing carbon, so the charcoal is not used as fuel but stored, often in the ground, where it also acts as a soil conditioner.
By burning waste material in controlled incinerators we can prevent the release of carbon dioxide, methane and leachate that would occur if this material burnt on an open fire or decomposed. It also reduces the impact of waste on the environment. The biochar process has the potential to divert a lot of waste from landfills in the region. This will extend the life of landfills as well as reduce harmful emissions.
Monbiot & Massey academic square off on biochar
Green bikes
Hosted by Massey University, Palmerston North, the Green Bike Trust recycles used bikes. Demand for their refurbished bikes has grown to the point where it now outstrips supply. Donated bikes are restored by the Trust’s workshop mechanics to a specified safety standard and bikes that are beyond repair are cannibalised for parts. Restored bikes are sold or hired out.
About one thousand bikes a year are recycled with the main restriction being lack of supply of donated bikes. A restored adult’s bike costs $50 and a child’s bike $35 with the money going to cover costs such as mechanics wages. The Trust reaches further afield than just Palmerston North with donated bikes coming from as far away as Hawkes Bay and some restored bikes have been sent to the Pacific Islands.
You can contact the Green Bike Trust on 06 356 9099 x7105. Too hip to bike? Check this out.
What is Greater Wellington doing?
Greater Wellington is tough on waste, starting with providing fewer office bins for rubbish and more for composting and recycling. A full inventory of what we throw out on a typical day in the Regional Council Centre is done every two years.
We also work with businesses, households, and schools to reduce waste and pollution; we maintain a register of known contaminated sites and process consent applications for landfills.
Photo: EECA
Warming the region
Photo: EECA
Insulating your home and installing a clean heating system is the best way to keep warm, dry and healthy this winter. Making our home more heat-efficient also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – so it’s good for the environment – and reduces your heating costs.
Greater Wellington can help. Beginning in April, we’re providing a service to ratepayers where you can apply for up to $2,600 towards a Heat Smart solution to support the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) “Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart” scheme, which provides grants to households for insulation and clean heat.
The EECA grants and Greater Wellington support can be used for EECA approved:
• Under floor and ceiling insulation
• A clean, efficient heating device
• Energy efficient measures such as a hot water cylinder wrap
Greater Wellington will recover its costs for providing the support through a targeted rate on your property over nine years.
For information on applying and full terms and conditions see www.gw.govt.nz/warmer-gw. You can also contact us by emailing warm@gw.govt.nz or phoning 04 384 5708 or 0800 496 734 during normal office hours.
Did you know?
It is an offence to drop rubbish (including cigarette butts) on the ground. Recently volunteers picked up 1800 cigarette butts from a short stretch of the Wellington south coast in one hour. Cigarette butts are toxic to animals, fish and plants.
Useful links
Waste management for apartments in Victoria Australia
Dutch approach to waste & recycling
Toronto approach to takeaway food containers
Australian report on degradable plastics
Take the stairs it’s more musical
Using biochar video from Centre for Alternative Technology