Media Statement

19 June 2008

Jami-Lee Ross

Manukau City Councillor for Howick

Positive Council U-turn on pre-school recycling

Manukau City Council’s decision to provide recycling services to early childhood education centres later this year is being welcomed by Howick Councillor Jami-Lee Ross.

At a Council meeting held on Thursday, Mr Ross and Manurewa Councillor Daniel Newman were successful in their bid to have pre-schools, language nests and kohanga reo included in Manukau City’s new recycling service.

“I am very pleased the Council has decided that recycling in pre-schools is an important service. It’s crucial that children are able to learn from an early age about the environment and how we can protect it,” says Mr Ross.

“Extending the recycling service to pre-schools will pay off for the City in the long term. The more we can recycle the less waste we will see going to landfill. Early years are important teaching years when it comes to children and this decision will help pre-schools establish good practices in this City’s young people.”

The Council’s U-turn in policy comes after a previous decision in May which saw pre-schools, sports clubs and churches excluded from the new recycling service. Mr Ross was one of five councillors who were unsuccessful in their push for all community organisations to be included in the service. He says that he still wants to see sports clubs and churches invited to participate in future, but that this latest development is a welcome compromise.

From October 2008 pre-schools will be able to begin recycling. Between now and October wheelie bins will be constructed and delivered, and contracts will be renegotiated with Council collection contractors to accomodate the change.

ENDS

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