Waste in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The management of waste
in New Zealand
is becoming increasingly regulated to avoid any associated environmental issue
s.
s to prevent leaching of the contents into water bodies. Transfer stations, especially in cities, act as a local collection point where the waste is compacted before transported to the nearest landfill.
Agriculture
is one of the largest sectors of the economy in New Zealand and consequently a large volume of waste is produced in relation to other industries. Collection of containers that contained agricultural chemicals is carried out in some regions. The burning of plastic waste was made illegal in recent years due to the release of toxic pollutants.
Construction waste
Electronic waste
Electronic waste
is an increasing part of the waste stream and the Ministry for the Environment are investigating ways of dealing with it. The annual eDay
, which started from a trial in 2006, is used as means of collecting electronic waste for reuse or recycling.
Food waste
Statistics on the amount of food waste in New Zealand
are not available but a 2007 survey showed that the majority of household make an attempt to minimise food wastage.
, Waitakere
, North Shore
and Lower Hutt
had kerbside recycling bins available. In New Plymouth
, Wanganui
and Upper Hutt
recyclable material was collected if placed in suitable bags. By 2007 73% of New Zealanders had access to kerbside recycling.
Kerbside collection of organic waste is carried out by the Mackenzie District Council and the Timaru
District Council. Christchurch City Council
has introduced an organic waste collection system as part of kerbside recycling. Other councils are carrying out trials.
The Green Party
tabled a Waste Minimisation Bill in 2006. It passed into law in 2008 as the Waste Minimisation Act
. The major provisions of the Act are: a levy on landfill waste, promoting product stewardship
schemes, some mandatory waste reporting, clarifies the role of territorial authorities with respect to waste minimisation, and sets up a Waste Advisory Board.
Notable landfills are located at:
Waste
Waste is unwanted or useless materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea, sweat or feces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of improperly...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
is becoming increasingly regulated to avoid any associated environmental issue
Environmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
s.
History
Until recently waste was taken to local rubbish dumps with little or no control as to where they were sited. Often the dumps were close to water ways. In recent years the location of dumps was consolidated and are now constructed as sanitary landfillLandfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
s to prevent leaching of the contents into water bodies. Transfer stations, especially in cities, act as a local collection point where the waste is compacted before transported to the nearest landfill.
Christchurch
Waste volumes from kerbside collections was almost 40,000 tonnes but reduced after the introduction of kerbside recycling and a halving in the number of free rubbish bags. In 2009 the Council introduced 140 litre wheelie bins for kerbside collection after which waste volumes began to rise.Types
Agricultural plasticsAgriculture
Agriculture in New Zealand
Agriculture in New Zealand is the largest sector of the tradeable economy, contributing about two-thirds of exported goods in 2006-7. For the year ended March 2002, agricultural exports were valued at over $14.8 billion...
is one of the largest sectors of the economy in New Zealand and consequently a large volume of waste is produced in relation to other industries. Collection of containers that contained agricultural chemicals is carried out in some regions. The burning of plastic waste was made illegal in recent years due to the release of toxic pollutants.
Construction waste
Electronic waste
Electronic waste
Electronic waste
Electronic waste, e-waste, e-scrap, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. There is a lack of consensus as to whether the term should apply to resale, reuse, and refurbishing industries, or only to product that cannot be used for its...
is an increasing part of the waste stream and the Ministry for the Environment are investigating ways of dealing with it. The annual eDay
EDay
eDay is a term that refers to the peak sales day for the online retail sector in the United States. The term was coined by web analytics and precision marketing firm Coremetrics.-eDays by year:* December 5, 2005....
, which started from a trial in 2006, is used as means of collecting electronic waste for reuse or recycling.
Food waste
Statistics on the amount of food waste in New Zealand
Food waste in New Zealand
Food waste in New Zealand is one of the many environmental issues that is being addressed by industry, individuals and government.Statistics on exactly how much edible food is wasted is difficult to determine however non-edible food waste is regularly composted either through a collection service,...
are not available but a 2007 survey showed that the majority of household make an attempt to minimise food wastage.
Waste reduction
By 1996 the New Zealand cities of AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, Waitakere
Waitakere
Waitakere City was the name of a city which existed from 1989 until 2010 in the Auckland region. It was New Zealand's fifth largest city, with an annual growth of about 2%...
, North Shore
North Shore, New Zealand
North Shore City was the name of a city that existed in the Auckland region of New Zealand from 1989 until 2010. The city had a population of making it the fourth most populous city in New Zealand prior to November 2010...
and Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Its council has adopted the name Hutt City Council, but neither the New Zealand Geographic Board nor the Local Government Act recognise the name Hutt City. This alternative name can lead to confusion, as there are two cities in the...
had kerbside recycling bins available. In New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
, Wanganui
Wanganui
Whanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....
and Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt is a satellite city of Wellington. It is New Zealand's smallest city by population, the second largest by land area. It is in Greater Wellington.-Geography:Upper Hutt is 30 km north-east of Wellington...
recyclable material was collected if placed in suitable bags. By 2007 73% of New Zealanders had access to kerbside recycling.
Kerbside collection of organic waste is carried out by the Mackenzie District Council and the Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
District Council. Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
has introduced an organic waste collection system as part of kerbside recycling. Other councils are carrying out trials.
Waste legislation
New Zealand is a signatory to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978, commonly known as MARPOL.The Green Party
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it...
tabled a Waste Minimisation Bill in 2006. It passed into law in 2008 as the Waste Minimisation Act
Waste Minimisation Act 2008
The Waste Minimisation Act is an Act of Parliament passed in New Zealand in 2008.It was a Private Members Bill introduced by Mike Ward. The major provisions of the Act are: a levy on landfill waste, promoting product stewardship schemes, some mandatory waste reporting, clarifying the role of...
. The major provisions of the Act are: a levy on landfill waste, promoting product stewardship
Product stewardship
Product stewardship is a concept whereby environmental protection centers around the product itself, and everyone involved in the lifespan of the product is called upon to take up responsibility to reduce its environmental impact. For manufacturers, this includes planning for, and if necessary,...
schemes, some mandatory waste reporting, clarifies the role of territorial authorities with respect to waste minimisation, and sets up a Waste Advisory Board.
Landfills
The number of landfills in New Zealand is reducing. In 1995 there were 327 and 115 in 2002 with recent estimates placing the number at less than 100.Notable landfills are located at:
- Redvale, Albany
- Kate Valley, Canterbury
External links
- Waste page at the Ministry for the Environment
- GetReal - waste lobby group
- Zero Waste New Zealand Trust
- WasteMINZ - Waste Management Institute New Zealand