Weighty issues in Far North waste reduction plan

RUBBISH COSTS: The draft waste plan includes policies on illegal dumping like this pictured at Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve near Russell last winter. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Far North folk are being asked to reduce the amount of rubbish they annually send to landfills from 300kg per person to 200kg inside six years.

That is one goal in Far North District Council's draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan which the public is asked to give feedback on.

The plan sets out how the district can better manage and minimise its waste over the next six years, in particular how it can reduce waste going to landfill.

One suggestion in the draft is for refundable deposits on drink containers. It also calls for eight new recycling centres.

The rubbish reduction targets are in line with the council's Long Term Plan.

Mayor John Carter said the 200kg figure is ambitious but vital if the district is to become more sustainable.

"We cannot keep building new landfills.

"They are expensive to operate and harmful to the environment through potential ground water contamination and the release of methane gas into the atmosphere," he said.

"They are also a legacy our children and their children won't thank us for. We need to do better, and we can do better."

The new recycling centres are proposed at Waima, Waitangi, Oruaiti, Mangamuka, Pamapuria, Waiharara, Matawaia and Te Tii.

Other waste minimisation proposals include supporting farmers and the construction and demolition industries to reduce waste, encouraging home composting and worm farms, establishing resource recovery centres in Waipapa/Kerikeri and Russell, regional forum to work on illegal dumping and clean-ups, and more monitoring cameras in illegal dumping areas.

The draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan can be downloaded from the FNDC website (www.fndc.govt.nz/wmp17) or obtained from a council Service Centre.

Submissions will be open until April 18 and public hearings held on April 28, with the draft finalised on May 11.