Letters to the editor: Calgary's rubbish system similar to Tauranga's

Calgary's rubbish service is more like Tauranga's says a reader. Photo / File

I was interested to read Tony Fellingham's letter on January 12 where he argues a waste collection system like that used in Calgary, Canada would be more appropriate for Tauranga than the system proposed by Tauranga City Council.

Calgary does have a well-run waste system that sees it ranked as one of the world's cleanest cities.

But it seems things have changed since Tony lived there. Calgary now runs a waste collection system virtually identical to that proposed by Tauranga City Council.

Like here, its system is basically one size fits all and it's compulsory for all residents. To quote the Calgary council's website, "Research has shown that optional municipal programs cost more, have a lower participation rate and do not achieve the same level of diversion as universal programs."

Further, Calgary delivers this service at a substantially higher cost to its residents than the system being introduced here.

In Calgary, all residents pay a minimum of C$292 each year (equivalent to about $320). Higher waste producers pay more.

This is almost $100 more expensive than the cost to residents in Tauranga - an incredible saving when you consider Calgary has 1 million residents and so benefits from substantial economies of scale compared to us.

Perhaps we should be a little more grateful for a world-class service at a world-beating price?

Maurice Prendergast
Tauranga South

Listen to the people

I agree with John Bindon's letter re rubbish bins (January 7). In my view our forced-out councillors did not listen to ratepayers. Our only hope on this issue is the government-appointed commissioners, and we can only hope they listen.
Graham Holloway
Gate Pa

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