Kerbside Bin for Recycled Waste May Be First Stage for Solid Waste Solutions

Waitaki District residents could be using kerbside bins for recycled waste by early 2009. Waitaki District Council’s Assets Committee have voted, in principle, to endorse a staggered implementation process of kerbside recycling with the first stage of this process being the introduction of kerbside bins for recycled waste. This recommendation will be considered by the Council at its meeting on 30 June.

This staggered approach was the recommendation of the recently formed Solid Waste subcommittee, which has been charged with progressing kerbside refuse and recycling collection in the Waitaki District following Council’s decision on the 20 May to terminate the Request For Proposal for Waste Management Services.

The subcommittee felt that it would take much longer to find a total solution for all waste services, and that by implementing a solution for individual services at different stages, a kerbside recycling system could be introduced earlier and as a consequence, the amount of refuse going to landfill could be reduced.

Recycled waste has been targeted first as there is greater public support for changes to this service than to other services. Likewise a recycling bin as opposed to a crate received a higher level of public endorsement from focus group research and from public consultation.

Recycling bins have less issues with wind blown litter, recycling paper getting wet when it rains and less health and safety issues with contractors. They can also hold more than crates so even less waste needs to go to the landfill.

If the subcommittee’s recommendation is approved by Council, the kerbside recycling bin system could be introduced by the end of 2008 or early in 2009. The Council will consider options for dealing with green waste and residual waste once the process for implementing a kerbside recycling system has been agreed.