Media Release
13 July 2009

Workshop to help businesses deal with waste levy

Manukau businesses are being offered a free workshop to help them reduce their waste and the amount they have to pay for a new waste minimisation levy.

The waste minimisation levy, introduced by the government at the start of July, charges $10 per tonne of waste disposed at landfills. Landfill operators are charged the levy, but are likely to pass the cost on to businesses and councils.

Manukau City Council and Visy Recycling are holding the free waste minimisation workshop to help businesses reduce their waste costs.

The workshop will be held on 31 July from 9am – 1pm at Visy’s materials recovery facility, 29 Victoria Street, Onehunga. For more information and to book a place contact: customerservice@visyrecycling.co.nz. Please RSVP no later than Friday 24 July.

Manukau City Council Waste Manager Patricia Facenfield says the introduction of the waste levy means waste reduction is a necessity for businesses and councils.

“Waste minimisation is an important business discipline that can have a significant positive effect on the bottom line.

“Reducing waste means greater resource efficiency, better environmental performance and lower costs. Each dollar saved on material costs or waste disposal becomes profit for businesses and reduction of costs for councils .

“The free workshops are part of the council’s aim of helping businesses to reduce waste by having better waste management techniques,” Ms Facenfield says.

The step by step workshop will show businesses how to audit waste, review waste contracts and maximise recycling. Many waste reducing steps can be taken quickly without major capital investment.

It is estimated that following the introduction of the levy Manukau City Council will be required to pay an additional $700,000 disposal fees in the next financial year. This cost will be offset by about half of the money generated by the levy being given to councils for waste minimisation initiatives.

Manukau City Council will be investigating waste minimisation initiatives. One possible option is an organic waste collection service for the Auckland region, which research is already underway on.

ENDS

© Scoop Media