Wed, 26 May 2004

Auckland zero waste call needs Government support

Green MP Mike Ward says his party's efforts to put teeth into New Zealand's waste strategy have received a major boost from a council committee recommendation that Auckland implement a zero waste strategy.

The Auckland City Council's works committee has decided to adopt a 'long-term' zero waste philosophy, while acknowledging that it requires more Government money and action to be fully realised.

"With most of the country's local authorities now firmly signed up to zero waste it is time for the Government to lift its level of commitment," said Mr Ward, the Green Party's Waste-free Spokesperson.

"Landfill bans on a range of resources from green waste to plastics and demolition materials; extended producer responsibility levies for the recovery of resources in their products and packaging; a dedicated waste authority - all these measures would provide both the support and the funding that local government desperately needs to do the job properly."

"While there may be different opinions over the details of what should go into waste-free legislation, virtually all local authorities agree that without appropriate law and budget support, waste minimisation is unlikely to fully succeed and a sustainable future will be highly unlikely.

Mr Ward last month completed a cycle tour of the South Island looking at local body waste initiatives and recently launched a campaign to get support for reusable nappies initiatives.

ENDS

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