New rubbish deal for councils

Masterton and Carterton will combine their rubbish and recycling services and Masterton's Nursery Rd transfer station will get an upgrade under a $8.5 million new contract taking effect in July.
Green Fingers _ a firm which already holds solid waste contracts with councils in Tauranga, Auckland and Hamilton _ has won a five-year joint contract from Masterton and Carterton district councils.
Carterton District Council chief executive Colin Wright acknowledged the joint contract was a major step for both districts.
''I think it's an example of two councils working together to achieve the best overall result.''
Green Fingers will take over the rubbish and recycling contract in both districts from Master Roads, and will also take over composting services.
Five tenders were shortlisted for the new contract, three of which were in the council's price range.
Masterton District Council assets and operations manager David Hopman said competition for the contract had been strong and Master Roads _ which also holds water and sewerage maintenance and airport management contracts with Masterton District Council _ had been on the shortlist.
Master Roads managing director Tony Heyward said the loss of the contract would affect two staff immediately, ''and probably another few next year''.
It would also affect sub-contractors including Renalls, who currently transport waste to Bonny Glen landfill, First Security and various workers taking care of rural transfer stations and kerbside collections.
''We were extremely disappointed the contract was given to a company outside the district, for a very small margin.''
With the contract let, upgrading work at Nursery Rd would begin in July, resulting in a new depot and equipment for recycling to meet increasing volumes.
Outside of the transfer station, Masterton residents will notice a vastly expanded recycling collection service.
Along with the green bin already used, a new bin will be provided to store paper and cardboard.
''It's an exciting time for us as there has been a call for a long time to provide better recycling facilities,'' Mr Hopman said. ''Like other councils, solid waste poses a major problem because of increasing volumes and costs to manage both rubbish and recycling. ''If we want people to recycle then we recognise the need to provide clean and clear facilities and better kerbside options.''
He said hazardous goods would be managed and stored on-site and then removed by a specialist contractor who would report on how and where the materials were processed.
Disposal facilities for offal and clean fill will continue.