Resource Management Act: RMA Link: Topics: Details

The RMAlink project aims to make community participation in all Resource Management Act processes more straightforward and less time-consuming. More effective participation from those with a concern for the environment will contribute towards improving environmental outcomes nationwide.

Topics: Details

Index


Hosted by:

Wellington Community Network
Subject Waste Management

Text Waste Reduction

Waste reduction is an important area in achieving the overall sustainability purpose of the RMA. Reduction is achieved through non-regulatory measures, rather than through district and regional plan rules.

Your local and regional councils can promote waste reduction through supporting community initiatives for on-site recycling at landfills and transfer stations, composting of greenwaste, environmental education programmes, and establishing partnerships that assist the business sector with waste minimisation. Communities can advocate for finances to be allocated to these initiatives through the annual plan and LTCCP processes.

The ‘Reduce Rubbish’ site below can be used to check out initiatives such as;

  • Innovative Waste Kaikoura, and Wanaka Wastebusters, two organizations that have introduced recycling despite it being considered uneconomic because of the isolated location of their communities.

  • Wastebusters Canterbury, who have an education centre at Ashburton, and who led the way in large-scale worm farming and composting in New Zealand.

     

References

MFE (2002) New Zealand Waste Strategy. ME 422
Ministry for the Environment, Wellington.
Prepared jointly by MFE and Local Government NZ. A framework for minimising waste production, minimising the amount of wate sent to landfill, and for sustainable management of all categories of waste.

Web-Based Resources

Site: www.reducerubbish.govt.nz
Resources: MFE-sponsored site, lots of information on reduce / re-use / recycle. Regional pages show current projects throughout New Zealand.

Site: www.wasteminz.co.nz
Resources: Site of the Waste Management Institute of NZ. Information on waste exchange, recycling, education.

Site: www.zerowaste.co.nz
Resources: Site of the Zero Waste NZ Trust. News on waste reduction efforts from around New Zealand, sustainable business contacts. Online newsletter, links to other NZ sites dealing with recycling and waste reduction, contacts for zero waste professional advisors.

Site: www.rebri.org.nz
Resources: Information and network for promoting re-use and recycling of building materials and construction waste, which account for about 17% of waste to landfill. Collaborative project involving BRANZ, construction industry, Auckland Regional and Auckland City Councils.

 

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