Thousands share ideas for Hawke's Bay's future waste management

Options for recycling, repurposing and composting more rubbish include a range of ideas for urban households. Photo / File

Thousands of residents have shared their view on how to manage the region's rubbish in the future, with even more expected to make their voices heard over the next couple of weeks.

The Napier City and Hastings District councils are consulting on their future plan for minimising waste - with submissions topping 4500 on the draft Joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018-24 (WMMP).

Every six years the councils, which manage the landfill, are legally obliged to review this, which sets out how waste will be managed in the region.

Joint council waste futures project steering committee chairwoman Tania Kerr said they were "really pleased" with the response so far, which showed people were keen to share their thoughts on the plan, and give the councils more ideas.

She wanted to hear more about what Napier and Hastings central city retailers thought of the idea to enhance kerbside rubbish services in retail areas - one of the draft joint WMMP's proposed actions.

Napier councillor and committee deputy chairwoman Annette Brosnan said it had been great to see so many people have their say on the wheelie bin and recycling proposals so far.

"I'm also very keen to hear what other options our residents see for waste, recycling, green waste and other waste, like hazardous substances and e-waste, that they would like us to consider," she said.

Committee member and Hastings councillor Rod Heaps said rubbish was everyone's problem.

"It is essential that we change our waste disposal habits now, for the survival and well-being of our future generations."

Options in the consultation for recycling, repurposing and composting more rubbish include a range of ideas for urban households.

These include enhancing existing council kerbside recycling services by providing collection crates, introducing or enhancing existing council-provided organic waste collection, and replacing council-provided collection of rubbish bags with wheelie bins.

Rural residents are being asked about future levels of rubbish and recycling services, and whether more communities would like a recycling service.

Residents have until March 23 to make a submission. Submissions will be heard next month, with both councils due to adopt the final Joint WMMP 2018-24 in May.

Council staff have been running information stalls at different events and locations throughout Napier city and Hastings district during the consultation period.

The community is invited to talk to council about the draft Joint WMMP and any other waste-related questions they may have at councils' stall at the Napier Farmers' Market, Saturday, March 17.

- Anyone yet to make a submission can save time by doing it online at myvoicemychoice.co.nz.